County Connections: AHA! A Hands-on Adventure working toward $10,000 fundraising goal

“Children see magic because they look for it.” — Christopher Moore

The variability of the past two years has had an impact on many local nonprofits. Canceled fundraisers, inflation and economic uncertainty have frequently resulted in reduced donations and higher expenses for charitable organizations.

Charities serving vulnerable populations have been particularly impacted, often dedicating additional resources to disinfection and supervision, all amid staffing and resource constraints.

As a result, some local nonprofits are only now returning to public events.

Such has been the case for AHA! A Hands-on Adventure, a charitable museum offering educational programming and resources to local children. Founded in 2006, AHA! was specifically designed to offer interactive experiences for youths between 6 months and 8 years of age – a demographic that especially benefits from immersive play.

From sensory education to fine motor skills, the museum features an array of displays and activities to cultivate social and academic success.

Temporarily closed during a portion of the pandemic, AHA forwent community fundraising activities to dedicate its full focus to creating a safe experience for the children it serves.

Yet without those fundraised dollars, and with an 8,000 square foot facility and a 1/2-acre nature playscape to sustain, AHA! has found its financial and personnel resources stretched.

To address these needs, the AHA team is venturing into their first fundraising endeavor since the onset of the Covid pandemic.

Entitled Pip Pip Hooray, this event is named in recognition of the central character of the children’s book, Pip’s Path Through Lancaster, Ohio – a story frequently interwoven into the museum’s art and activities.

Yet while the event’s name references an adorable children’s tale, the event is catered to the young at heart, and not the young in age.

“This will be a great opportunity to educate the community about our mission, while raising donations to support our children’s programs,” explained Executive Director, Julia Hilty.

A 21-and-over evening, Pip Pip Hooray will feature silent auctions, live music, heavy appetizers and alcoholic drinks – all with the goal of generating $10,000 to support the charitable work of the museum.

Months of planning have been dedicated to the endeavor, which will invite community members into the AHA! facility – located at 1708 River Valley Cir S. in Lancaster – blending event elements into the museum’s whimsical environment.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a ticket cost of $35 per person. Proceeds will enable continued improvements to the educational space, including the outdoor garden area, which features a variety of children’s programming throughout the warmer months.

While tickets for the fundraiser are available via Eventbrite, they will also be available at the door to last-minute attendees.

“We really encourage people to come in and check us out. We are looking forward to a fun event to support our museum,” Hilty shared.

However, for those who are unable to attend, but still wish to support the AHA! mission, general admission passes to the museum are only $8 per visit, and a variety of memberships are also available, including family memberships, grandparent memberships, and even options for daycare providers.

Proceeds from these memberships help ensure the continuation of the program’s charitable mission, which plays a central role in the development and happiness of many local children.

“The kids are so excited. You can watch them learn new skills. At AHA they can explore and learn about their world,” Hilty shared.

To learn more about membership, programs, and ways to support the charitable mission of AHA! A Hands-on Adventure, email guestservices@aha4kids.org or visit their page on Facebook.

Saturday, May 14, The Lancaster Farmer’s Market will offer fresh produce and other treats between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the parking lot at West Chestnut Street, between Broad and Columbus streets. Well-behaved dogs are welcome and food vendors accept SNAP EBT. Visit www.lancasterohfarmersmarket.org for information.

Sunday, May 15, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Baltimore Community Museum is hosting its 2022 reopening. The exhibit will feature new displays on Swiss settlers in Ohio, local Civil War history, and features on Ohio towns. The museum is located at 209 E Market St. in Baltimore. For more information, please email info@baltimorehistory.org.

The Baltimore Farmers Market is currently seeking food trucks, wineries and breweries to participate in their weekly Farmers Market, which will open June 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Ace Hardware in Baltimore. For more information on this opportunity, please contact info@baltimoredowntownrestoration.com.

Thank you for your emails and ideas! Please continue to contact me at tkellyfairfieldcounty@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: AHA! A Hands-on Adventure working toward $10,000 fundraising goal