Concord, NH-
Amid the customs and decorum of the New Hampshire Governor and Council
Meeting, the Lighthouse Kids presented Governor John Lynch with their
hard earned check for an impressive $110,000 to begin restoration of the
endangered White Island Lighthouse. The North Hampton seventh graders
were on the Governor and Executive Council’s agenda for Wednesday, June
22 at
Lighthouse Kids Photo
Michelle Maher presents a check for
$110,000 from the Lighthouse Kids to Governor John Lynch while Molly
Gaffey and seventh grade teacher, Susan Reynolds look on.
the New Hampshire State House in
Concord. In accepting the check, the Governor and Council authorized the
Division of Parks and Recreation to expend the money for conservation and
restoration of the White Island Station. The Governor personally
congratulated and shook hands with each of the sixteen Lighthouse Kids in
attendance for their dedication and hard work.
Executive Councilor Ruth L. Griffin also applauded the students, suggesting
that they might consider a career in New Hampshire politics in light of
their love for the state. She then proposed that the week of June 19 be
forever declared Lighthouse week which was subsequently authorized by
Governor Lynch.
The check represented money the Lighthouse Kids raised through corporate and
private fundraising, foundation grants and merchandise sales. It will be
matched by a portion of the $250,000 Save America’s
Photo by Jeremy D'Entremont
White Island Lighthouse
Isles of
Shoals, New Hampshire
Treasures
grant, helping the Lighthouse Kids move closer toward their goal of
raising a total of $550,000 for restoration of the White Island Station,
Keeper’s Cottage, out buildings and landing.
Though total
costs have not yet been realized, with the sum presented, restoration
will begin this summer and continue over
the next two years. The
Lighthouse Kids are betting their current public art project, Lighthouse
LobStars! will raise a significant amount of the remaining $190,000
necessary for restoration. Over 20 LobStar sculptures designed and painted
or adorned by seacoast artists will be installed in locations throughout the
seacoast this summer, then sold at auction on October 1 at the Seacoast
Science Center in Rye. Numerous seacoast students have been selected to
paint tabletop versions of the sculptures also to be sold at auction. The
project has brought students, businesses and artists together all sharing
the goal of saving the Lighthouse. To join the effort to save the White
Island Lighthouse or for more information, visit
.
The Lighthouse Kids are a chapter of
the
American Lighthouse Foundation
dedicated to the
restoration and preservation of White
Island Lighthouse.
