Dear Editor:

When the Osoyoos Museum Society gets possession of the Home Building Centre building on January 1, 2020, we will be in a position to transform it into the new museum by bringing it up to new code standards, incorporating necessary climate controls, and establishing the displays.

We have firm estimates that this will require around $2,500,000 for the first phase completion in order to open to the public. As a registered non-profit organization we are not able to borrow funds; hence we can proceed only with funds in the bank or firmly committed.

We are applying for major grants from government programs, corporations, and large organizations. Being able to show strong local support gives us much better chances of getting such grants; and having funds to meet the matching requirements of many grants is a huge advantage.

Having many names on a support list, and some local funds, provides the evidence of strong local support.

Instead of just asking our many local organizations to contribute funds, we are asking them each to encourage their individual members to commit themselves to a small monthly amount from now until 2019. We are suggesting a program for each person to set aside the equivalent of one restaurant cup of coffee and one meal each month, and to periodically turn this amount over to the Museum Society.

This program will provide about $ 20.50 per person per month. Over the 42 months left until the end of 2019 the museum would get $ 945 per person. If 1,000 persons join, this would amount to a total of $945,000.

When you bring in your first donation, you will be registered in a database, where subsequent donations can be added. The museum will be able to issue receipts for Income Tax purposes each December and will add your name to the donor accreditation list.

Special information and planning sheets have been prepared and are available at the museum.

We ask each organization to pick up a batch of these to pass them on to their members, or to contact the undersigned for more information.

With a small painless contribution by many, the new museum would realize a major benefit.

Tony Brummet,

Fundraising chairman,

Osoyoos Museum Society