Genocide. Ethnic cleansing. Human oppression, trafficking and slavery. It is hard to believe, but these travesties against individual rights and freedoms are still occurring throughout many parts of our world. Having celebrated just this year the 60th anniversary of the Allied Liberation and freeing of ravaged Holocaust victims, perhaps we have become complacent in believing that the atrocities suffered by many because of their religion, ethnicity, political belief or human infirmity, could never happen again. It is not so.

Even as you receive this letter, you will probably hear today on the TV news or read in the newspaper examples of these crimes against humanity. The ideals and freedoms which we cherish as citizens of our beautiful land are indeed still challenged. The message of individual freedom from political tyranny, which our founding fathers so brilliantly conceived, and for which many of our ancestors have fought and died over hundreds of years, still resounds. This message of freedom is kept alive by the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida through its mission of promoting tolerance and understanding by teaching the history and lessons of the Holocaust. We must never forget.

We are small, but our mission is great. We are here. We will stay. We will grow. We are needed. We will not let human suffering go unnoticed. We are committed. We are the students, teachers, community supporters, donors and volunteers who started as an outgrowth of a 1998 Holocaust exhibit by nineteen Golden Gate Middle School students and their teachers and their attempt to show others that we must never forget the message of the Holocaust.

Membership Opportunity!

A wonderful opportunity awaits you. You can become an annual member and supporter of the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida. 2005 is the year we inaugurated our first-ever Membership Campaign. You now have an opportunity to assist us on an annual basis by helping us to continue our difficult task of educating others about the lessons of the Holocaust. In particular, we have a special mission to educate our youth, who have no memory of the events of decades past.

As a Holocaust Museum member, you will receive tangible membership benefits, as well as enable us to nurture our Museum of 300 authentic Holocaust artifacts and continue to bring to our community educational programs and events of continuing value. Our children are our future. You have an opportunity to help teach them so that they may teach others. Our Membership brochure details the various levels of Museum membership as well as provides background about the Holocaust Museum.

Membership in the Holocaust Museum

Annual Membership in the Holocaust Museum will allow you to show your ongoing support for our mission of promoting tolerance throughout our community. All Museum members will enjoy free general admission, will receive all Museum mailings and invitations, and have unlimited use of our Museum Lending Library.

The following Membership categories are available.

STUDENT    $18

• Full-time students currently enrolled at an accredited school or institution of higher learning must provide a copy of their Student ID with the membership application. Student members will enjoy the same benefits as Individual members.

INDIVIDUAL    $36

• Free General Admission for one person
• Discounted programs
• Invitations to members-only exhibition openings

FAMILY    $54

• Free General Admission for two adults and their dependent children
• Discounted programs
• Invitations to members-only exhibition openings

BUSINESS SPONSOR    $200

• Two Business Memberships
• Discounted programs
• Advance invitations to special events and programs
• Invitations to members-only exhibition openings

SUSTAINING INDIVIDUAL    $300

• Two Sustaining Memberships
• Discounted programs
• Advance invitations to special events and programs
• Invitations to members-only exhibition openings
• Exclusive evening event for Sustaining and Corporate Sponsor members

CORPORATE SPONSOR    $1500

• Corporate Memberships for all Named Employees
• Free General Admission for all Named Employees
• Discounted programs
• Advance invitations to special events and programs
• Invitations to members-only exhibition openings
• 10% Discount on Book Purchases
• Exclusive evening event for Sustaining and Corporate Sponsor members
• One time rent-free use of museum public space

Endowments and Special Bequests
Opportunities exist for endowments, special bequests or stock donations to further sustain the Museum's mission. Kindly contact the Museum Treasurer at 239-263-3998 to further discuss this type of special contribution.

Community Partners
Many opportunities exist for corporate or business entities to become Community Partners through the donation of in-kind major gifts of equipment or supplies. The Museum maintains a "Wish List" of hoped-for items on its web site. The list can also be obtained through the Executive Director at 239-263-3998.

Underwriting
Underwriting opportunities exist for programs, events, educational and special projects. Special recognition of the underwriter will be made as agreed upon by the Museum and the underwriter. To learn more about this, kindly call the Museum Executive Director at 239-263-9200.

Gift Memberships
Gift memberships in the Museum are a wonderful way to introduce those you love to the Holocaust Museum and its programs. Should you choose this option, the Museum will send you a letter acknowledgment for tax purposes and will send a new-member packet to the gifted member.

Donations & Contributions
If you wish to make a donation, you may click on the donation button below to donate online using PayPal;

Docent and Volunteer Opportunities
Dedicated volunteers are essential to the operation and success of the Museum. An excellent training program for prospective Docents is provided for those wishing to commit their time in performing a valuable service to our community. Other volunteer opportunities are also available for computer, office, web site, scrap booking, mail preparation, carpentry, publicity, event planning, fundraising and other services.

For Hours and Directions to the Museum, click here.

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