The Hands on Children’s Museum kick-offs its’ Summer Splash! online silent auction on Friday, August 16, 2024. It’s the first event of the Summer Splash! Gala, their annual fundraiser celebrating HOCM’s outreach to thousands of local and visiting families across Western Washington. Although Gala space is limited, everyone can join the fun and support a great cause at the same time. Your purchase helps keep the museum accessible to all children. The online auction raises money and awareness for their many free and reduced access programs.
Purchase a Unique Experience and Give a Child the Gift of Play
From fine dining to spa packages, and sports tickets to hand-crafted artwork, there are online auction items curated to appeal to all interests and budgets. Plus, you can feel good knowing that your auction purchase will provide a magical HOCM experience to a child in need. You can bid on auction items through August 22 at 8 p.m. Visit the auction website to start bidding!
- Enjoy Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar and two Seahawks Tickets
- Play pickleball, dine, and unwind at 23 Kitchens
- Treat your friends to an exclusive oyster & wine pairing for eight at Chelsea Farms
- Tee up for a golf and wood-fired pizza extravaganza at Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club
- Transform your health and wellness journey at Athena Fitness & Wellness
- Gear up with two Club Husky Tickets for UW vs. UCLA
- Immerse yourself in tranquility with Julie Kluh’s stunning canvas print, “Moonlight”
- Relax with cocktails on a private sailing adventure for six with Olympia Sailing Company
- Celebrate a birthday bash for 10 at Legends Arcade
- Indulge in Sofie’s Scoops for 50
Helping Families Enjoy Accessible Access for All, STEM, Art, Play and Plenty of Fun
The Hands On Children’s Museum welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually to their East Bay waterfront location in downtown Olympia. They partner with dozens of organizations and individuals including schools, social service agencies, Tribes, medical professionals, nonprofits, and regional artists and educators to develop and enrich programming for kids of all ages.
Hands On Children’s Museum’s Summer Splash! Gala welcomes 400 people each year and supports more than 30 access programs which ensure all children and families can visit the museum, regardless of their ability to pay. Staff say that of the 300,000 regular Museum guests, over 100,000 rely on access programming to attend.
Access Programs Support Families in Numerous Ways
Free and Reduced Access Programs impact many lives in tremendous ways. More than 38,000 EBT card holders used the service during 2023 alone. Mobile Memberships can be checked out like a book at all 27 Timberland Regional Libraries. Low-income Access Memberships are just $45 for eligible families.
More than 10,000 elementary-aged students have enjoyed field trip visits and curiosity kits across six counties. Military family support programs welcome nearly 35,000 visitors with discounted memberships, half-price admission on Memorial and Veteran’s Days, free passes to JBLM’s Santa’s Castle for families in need and a Gold Star Family support program.
To support new and growing families, Hands On Children’s Museum also provides educational programming for parents and their kiddos. There are parent support groups, sensory friendly hours, PlayWise preschool enrichment and newly expanded prison partnerships.
Even Adults Can Play at the Hands On Children’s Museum Summer Splash! Gala
This year’s Summer Splash! Gala takes place on August 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is a vintage beach party theme thanks to long-time sponsor Olympia Federal Savings. At the Gala there will be a live DJ, dancing, family-style dinner, both silent and live auctions and so much more. Tasty treats include entrees from Anthony’s HomePort and Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill, side dishes from Budd Bay Café and Mercato and desserts from Gotti Sweets. Pair that with Dancing Goats coffee and signature cocktails from Chelsea Farms and it’s sure to be a night to remember.
The event is close to selling out. Contact Jasmine Olson for tickets, to be placed on the waiting list, for information about next year’s festivities, or to become a group or corporate sponsor. She can be reached at 360.956.0818, extension 151 or jolson@hocm.org.
Even More Options to Get Involved
The Hands On Children’s Museum provides 150 exhibits, 10 galleries and expansive outdoor play areas for children eager to run, explore, learn and meet new friends. Even if your little ones have grown up or you don’t have children, you can still support HOCM’s vital role within the community through many other generous ways.
Join the Leadership Circle, become a corporate member or earmark your Washington State Combined Fund Drive donations. Make your generosity known with a splash or a hop by purchasing a fish or frog to name in honor of a loved one. A cash donation of any amount is always welcome. Questions about any donations can be sent to development@hocm.org.
There are also three adult-only Museum After Hours nights at the Museum each year, typically in January, April and November. Follow Hands On Children’s Museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages for details or check out the events calendar to learn more.
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