Presidents Report -August 2023
All AFHM Members, Friends, and Supporters:
Now that we’ve survived the heat of the July summer, and the Burlington County Farm Fair, we can look to somewhat cooler temperatures ahead as we wind up the mobile museum exhibit season with four remaining events.
Meantime here’s some highlights from this past month along with a heads-up for September and beyond:
– The Delran “Night Out” was successful in drawing a very large crowd, mostly families, and we benefitted from a Township donation of $500 plus other contributions from attendees
– Chairman’s Club business leader members attended a breakfast meeting at the Lawrence House that included a briefing by our executive staff on our projects and funding sought. They gave us a $500 donation as well as some individual contributions of $60. They also expressed an interest in supporting our mission programs in the future. A great start indeed!
– A new website and social media provider is being pursued in view of our current vendor, CaddisArt, advising us they are ceasing operations beginning in September. Three proposals are currently under consideration and we hope to have a decision by the end of August
– Rich Hill presented a proposal for a revamping of the Lawrence House exhibits with the near term goal of moving the Revolutionary War exhibit to the front room for greater impact while opening the second room for more exhibit space. Rich will be working the details of the move and layout with his project team. The executive team supports this initiative. Please direct any questions/ suggestions to him accordingly
– A Burlington County Board of Commissioners/Parks Service grant prospect was reviewed with the “Right to Fight” desegregation in the military documentary project team for submission by the September 1st deadline. The grant amount available is $10,000 with no matching funds required
– A wine tasting event currently planned for Lucca’s Italian restaurant in Bordentown is being re-thought upon learning they will not permit bringing in outside wines. We will still pursue a lunch or dinner event as a fundraiser, but without the ability to do a wine tasting of our recently developed AFHM private label wine. Stay tuned as we look to develop this wine project at other venues. In the meantime please go to our website and order some of these great Napa Valley wines and support AFHM!
– Community and business leader networking opportunities are in full swing mode with recent events such as: Chairman’s Club Phillies game in the TD Bank’s executive suite, Burlington Mercer Chamber social at Lucca’s and Palermo’s Italian restaurants, a wine & cheese “Meet and Greet” with the NJ Center for Nonprofits, and small leader group tours of the NJ State Police Museum and Summerseat, George Washington’s headquarters during the “Ten Crucial Days” of the Revolutionary War. These events enable us to make connections that promote our organization while identifying potential services providers, partners, and funders/sponsors
Another interesting and productive month to be sure. Now we need to focus on the upcoming annual fundraiser dinner on November 4th at O’Connor’s. Please review the event package available and, 1) Order your ticket(s), 2) Be a program journal sponsor and/or booster and, 3) Come out and celebrate another great year for AFHM!
Respectfully submitted,
Roy Plummer, President AFHM Www.afhmus.org
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