GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Prepare for an island adventure and join the Florida Museum of Natural History for its annual “Passport” gala fundraiser April 21 from 7 to 11 p.m. to support pre-K through 12th grade education programs.

Organized by the Florida Museum Associates Board, “Passport to the Galápagos” proceeds will help fund education initiatives including admission assistance for Title I schools, outreach to elementary classrooms and after-school programs, and the junior volunteer program.

“When children visit the museum they delight in the discovery of new things, curiosities are sparked and imaginations nourished,” said Anne West-Valle, Florida Museum Associates Board vice president.

Proceeds from last year’s event were used to bring more than 2,000 Alachua County fourth-grade students to the museum as part of a two-hour free program to visit the “Rare, Beautiful & Fascinating: 100 Years @FloridaMuseum” exhibit. The grant from the Florida Museum Associates Board covered all program expenses, including bus transportation, exhibit admission, teacher training and classroom resources.

Designed to support classroom studies, the “Rare, Beautiful & Fascinating” program highlighted the Museum’s 17 collections and research initiatives that address topics from extinction to biodiversity. The program met Grade 4 Florida Standards for science and math curriculum.

The fundraiser is called “Passport” because it whisks attendees to another time, era or locale with a new theme each year. Guests this year are encouraged to dress in their favorite adventurous island-hopping attire. Individual tickets for non-reserved seating are $150.

Keith Watson Events will transform the museum into a tropical paradise while attendees enjoy cuisine from Blue Water Bay, Custom Caterers and Thornebrook Chocolates, and dance to the rhythms of Tropix.

For more information on tickets and sponsorships, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/passport or call 352-273-2047.

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Writer: Kaitlin Gardiner, 352-273-2028, kgardiner@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Kara Schwartz, 352-273-2047, kschwartz@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu