Thomases Endowment Gives $30K to Oh Wow

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation has donated $30,000 to Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Children’s Center for Science & Technology.

The gift supports the museum’s purchase of the McRory Building in December. With the purchase of the building, the children’s museum plans to expand and offer more exhibits following renovations.

“While the McCrory Building has been home to Oh Wow since we opened in 2011, our purchase of the building – made possible with the support of The Thomases Endowment – secures our future,” said Oh Wow President and Executive Director Suzanne Barbati in a statement. “On behalf of our Board of Directors, volunteers and the more than 517,000 explorers served to date, we very much appreciate the Jewish Federation’s continued support.” 

The Thomases Family Endowment has supported Oh Wow since it was created, according to Lisa Long, financial resource development director of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. To date, the endowment has granted a total of $120,700 to the museum.

Pictured: Attorney Nils Johnson, Sam Kooperman, Chuck George, Oh Wow President Suzanne Barbati, Lisa Long and Sam Shapiro celebrated the $30,000 donation from the Thomases Family Endowment to Oh Wow.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.