McWilliams Heating Cooling and Plumbing donates to Michelson Discovery Room | News

Recently the Michelson Museum of Art had the opportunity to renovate its much loved Dr. David Weisman Hirsch Discovery Room for children, putting out a call to the community for donations of new toys and other supplies to fill the space.

McWilliams Heating, Cooling and Plumbing heard that call, with employee Kelsie Hopkins leading the charge to donate $500 in requested books to the museum to be placed and used in the children’s area.

“I grew up playing in here,” Hopkins said, explaining that through her job she is always looking for more ways for the business to connect with the community.

When she saw that the Michelson Museum put out a registry of requested donations Hopkins said that she started buying books, and didn’t stop, purchasing almost all of the requested items and forming a mini library in the new discovery room.

“They really want me to pour into the community whenever and wherever I can,” Hopkins said, “And this museums, this room is personal to me so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to donate these books.”

The room is a free service provided by the museum which offers an enriching and playful space for children 0 to 5-years-old. The space features toys, games, sensory tools and educational lessons about art and culture for visiting children to enjoy.

The room is planned for an upgrade this year, complete with fresh paint, carpeting and furniture.

Many other items have already been donated and dropped off for the discovery room’s updates, which Director of the Museum Dinora Harris said she is incredibly grateful for.

“We had no idea the response we would be getting, but it was great,” She said, “We still have a few items on the list, but not too many are left.”

These donations include books, toys, sensory tools and much more to be placed in the updated discovery room and utilized by children from all over East Texas who visit the museum.

The Michelson Museum of Art is always free to visit, and includes a wide range of artistic exhibits on display along with much more for people of all ages to enjoy.

Harris said that the museum would plan an unveiling of the newly updated space with all of its furnishing at a special event later this month, with details to come at a later date.

To support the museum by donating an item for the discovery room community members can visit the groups wish-list at www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/G0M05W7EB6YI.

For more information about the museum and upcoming plans and class community members can also visit www.michelsonmuseum.org.