David T. Beals, III Charitable Trust Heeds the “Call to Duty” with $1 Million Gift to the National World War I Museum and Memorial
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (PRWEB) May 12, 2016 -- The David T. Beals, III Charitable Trust, Bank of America N.A., Trustee has generously responded to the National World War I Museum and Memorial’s “Call to Duty” Centennial Capital Campaign with a $1 million gift to expand the Museum’s education and public programs.
The gift will fund the creation of the David T. Beals, III Education Fund at the Museum for the development of exceptional educational resources and to expand the Museum’s outreach and collaboration with K-12 schools, higher education and community partners.
“The extraordinary generosity of the David T. Beals, III Charitable Trust will enable the Museum to expand our outreach to schools and educators — including digital curriculum resources, diverse public programs and scholarly research partnerships — to further our mission as America’s leading institution dedicated to interpreting, understanding and remembering the Great War and its enduring impact,” said Dr. Matthew Naylor, president and CEO of the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial.
“Through global partnerships and scholarly research, the Museum will be elevated to an international stage where it can fulfill its vital responsibility to tell the stories about those who defended our liberty and facilitate ongoing reflection and thoughtful dialogue about the challenges to peace as we look to the future,” he said.
David T. Beals, III was a military veteran who served during World War II in Europe as a lieutenant colonel with the 9th Armored Division and was awarded the Bronze Star. After returning from the war, he joined the 35th Division of Missouri National Guard as a staff officer and retired as a colonel. Beals was an outdoorsman, expert horseman and spent significant time on his farm.
“David Beals was a decorated veteran and avid supporter of the arts and education which makes this gift from the Trust a natural fit to benefit the Museum’s future,” Naylor said.
The National World War I Museum and Memorial “Call to Duty” Centennial Capital Campaign was launched in 2014 to raise funds to meet four primary goals:
1. Construction of a new exhibition gallery
2. Renovation of outdoor gathering space
3. Support of education programs and opportunity funds
4. Increase the Museum’s endowment
To enable construction of a new exhibition gallery and renovation of existing outdoor space, the Museum’s “Call to Duty” Centennial Capital Campaign has also collectively received more than $5 million from the following:
• Hall Family Foundation
• Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation
• Jack F. and Glenna Y. Wylie Charitable Foundation
• Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation
• Sunderland Foundation
• Sosland Foundation
The Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) also awarded the Museum $1.8 million in tax credits to support the project.
The National World War I Museum and Memorial’s “Call to Duty” Centennial Capital Campaign continues with future funder announcements expected by Memorial Day. The general public is also welcome to make contributions to the campaign at theworldwar.org.
About the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.
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Elaina Boudreau, BELA Communications, +1 (913) 660-0548, [email protected]
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