We Are Dedicated to Helping Organizations that Better Our Communities
At Eagle Rock Bank we’re proud to give back to our community. As a locally owned and managed bank, it is so important to us to support our local non-profit organizations through sponsorships and hundreds of volunteer hours through our employee volunteers.
This month's spotlight:
3 Ways You Can Help
SPARK
Written by Alexa Anderson for Rochester Magazine | Sponsored by Eagle Rock Bank
SPARK was originally formed in 2007, as the Children’s Museum of Rochester (CMR), when a group of Rochester parents saw a need for informal early learning in the area.
Today, SPARK has grown into a local non-profit organization focused on enriching the lives of your learners by creating shared, interactive experiences that engage people of all ages in the joy of play, the power of learning, and a sense of community. The organization strives to spark imaginations and instill a love of exploration and discovery in their visitors.
“SPARK is a children’s museum, which means we are creating a more child-friendly community,” says Heather Nessler, Executive Director. “As we focus on health and wellness, the arts, STEM, and connecting cultures, we are also helping children develop into strong, independent humans. Play, with its proven ability to enhance a child’s self-work and self-esteem, serves as a critical element in fostering resilience.”
Here’s how you, too, can help SPARK:
VISIT AND ENGAGE. SPARK invites you to bring the child in your life. Come take advantage of their hands-on programs and exhibits for all ages which lead to learning, exploring, and conversation. All exhibits are designed with an understanding of children’s development. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or same-day on location.
DONATE. If you share SPARK’s vision, support their mission, and want to see them thrive, consider donating. SPARK is a community-supported non-profit; they work hard to raise money and depend on the generosity of community members to invest in and support their mission. Your monetary gift will help the organization keep their exhibits health, programs fresh, and space safe and clean.
VISIT. You can stop by in person at Apache Mall, or check out SPARK’s website to learn more about their donation options, including one-time, monthly, legacy, and donor-advised gifts.
VOLUNTEER. It’s important as adults that we don’t forget to play. The organization invites you to incorporate play into your day by volunteering with SPARK. Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. STEM boxes and art activities are available and could use your helping hands. SPARK encourages anyone with a special skill to reach out as they would love to create a new making class. All volunteers must be 9th grade or older and SPARK’s volunteer schedules are very flexible.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Anyone interested in supporting SPARK, in any of the way listed above, can find more information at sparkrochestermn.org. And stop in and check them out in Apache Mall.