Explore & More fundraises during 'Give 716' to build new fully accessible playground

On “Give 716 Day,” an online fundraising campaign hosted by the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres Foundation, Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum, will be fundraising for a very special cause. With the help of Mason's Mission and Dunn Tire, Explore & More is building a brand-new exhibit – a fully accessible indoor playground. This will be the first of its kind in Western New York, giving year-round play access to the nearly one in five people who have a disability in the U.S.

A press release stated, “Play for a disabled child is one of the most important aspects of therapy. Interaction with others and a way to engage with the environment around them is crucial to their development and quality of life. Whether a child has cognitive issues, mobility challenges, or both, the design of most play areas inadvertently excludes a significant portion of the population playgrounds were built to serve.

“Unfortunately, in Western New York, there are only three truly 100% inclusive playgrounds – all designed and created by a local nonprofit organization, Mason’s Mission. Adding to this is the fact that, because of WNY weather, these accessible playgrounds are only utilized a couple of months of the year. It is for these reasons, and because of Explore & More’s mission to serve all children and families, that it is taking the inclusive outdoor playground concept and bringing it inside.”

All funds raised during “Give 716 Day” will go toward building the inclusive playground. With the help of Dunn Tire, donors are empowered to turn one dollar into two, with a corporate match of $25,000. Explore & More is also offering various raffle prizes for donors, depending on their donation level. From museum membership to birthday parties and even a chance to win dinner for four prepared by chef Darian Bryan, personal chef to many of the Buffalo Bills, right in their home.

Donations can be made starting at 7:16 p.m. Thursday, July 15, through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 16. Click here to learn more.

Explore & More's mission is to provide best-in-class play experiences where all children, families and the community can explore, learn and develop together. A world where play unlocks the limitless potential in all of us. After 20-plus years in East Aurora, the museum moved to its new home at Canalside in 2019, expanding to four floors and over 40,000 square-feet of play. Visit exploreandmore.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.