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From left: Erie County Legislator Howard Johnson Jr.; Elena Mendel, National Fuel Gas Co.'s principal accounting officer and a board member of the National Fuel Gas Co. Foundation; Explore & More CEO Michelle Urbanczyk; and Congressman Brian Higgins.
From left: Erie County Legislator Howard Johnson Jr.; Elena Mendel, National Fuel Gas Co.'s principal accounting officer and a board member of the National Fuel Gas Co. Foundation; Explore & More CEO Michelle Urbanczyk; and Congressman Brian Higgins.

Explore & More is now a Blue Star Museum ... and More

Submitted

Fri, Nov 15th 2019 04:50 pm

Veterans Day was a very busy day at Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum. Through the support of National Fuel, active military personnel and veterans were invited to come play in the museum for free.

Throughout the museum, children were engaged in fun, immersive activities taught them why the military is so important and what Veterans Day is all about. Children made lap blankets for veterans, thank you cards for deployed military members, and dog tags for themselves. Special guests included Sabretooth, the Buffalo Dolls, Dog Tags New York and Erie County K-9 Unit.

At 12:30 there was a brief ceremony that included a special announcement by the museum’s CEO, Michelle Urbanczyk. After a presentation of the flags by the WNY Maritime Charter School Color Guard and the National Anthem sung by students from Mel’s School of Theater and Music, Urbanczyk announced that, through the generous support of National Fuel, Explore & More is now a Blue Star Museum. That means that, from Memorial Day 2020 through Labor Day 2020, active military personnel and their families will receive free admission into the museum.

A press release said, “While this is a great way to honor our military, National Fuel wanted to do more and; therefore, made it possible for active military to come to the museum year-round for free.”

“As the hometown energy team, National Fuel is invested in fueling the lives of our community – especially our local veterans. We’re grateful not only to those who have served and are serving but to those who stand alongside them. We recognize the importance of our military families and we are committed to supporting them. That’s why we are proud to partner with Explore & More to enable its Blue Star Museum status.

“To our veterans, those currently serving, and all of their families, we honor you today and every day,” said Donna DeCarolis, president of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.

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