Published: March 01, 2008 12:15 am         

Leonardo's honors volunteers

Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse celebrated a “phenomenal year” in 2007 by honoring its top volunteers Friday during an annual awards dinner and silent auction.

“2007 was a phenomenal year for Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse, but 2008 looks even brighter,” Anita Andrew, board chairwoman, told a crowd of just more than 200 Friday night.

Jerry Butler and J. Curtis Huckleberry of KOFM/KGWA served as masters of ceremony for the annual event.

Volunteer of the Year honors went to Catherine Fitzsimmons and Sally Whiteneck for their efforts in the Adventure Quest gardens. Family of the Year members are Lynn, Allison, Conner and Emily Angleton. Maxine Sanford Austin was named Friend of Leonardo’s, and longtime volunteers Norma Barton and Bill Quigley were co-recipients of the first ever Leonardo’s Legacy award, celebrating more than a decade of dedicated service.

“It is humbling and inspiring to those of us who now serve to witness their continued commitment to our success,” Andrew said.

Special guests of the event included Sen. Patrick Anderson, Rep. Mike Jackson, several Enid city commissioners and members of Oklahoma Museum Network funded by Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Sherry Marshall, network administrator, praised Leonardo’s current renovation efforts and proclaimed the museum, “a bright star in northwest Oklahoma.” The network is expected to launch statewide later this year and is committed to making inquiry based learning available for all the children of Oklahoma.

The silent auction featured more than 100 items donated by local people and businesses, and all proceeds will benefit Leonardo’s ongoing scholarship outreach programs. Leonardo’s offers memberships to low-income families, free museum visits and art classes for local Title 1 schools and scholarships to all camps throughout the year.

“The goal of the auction was to raise $5,000 for 2008,” said Julie Baird, Leonardo’s executive director. “Our mission is to enrich and inspire all children, not just those who can afford it.”