Capital Campaign
Rationale and Urgency:
The Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation (OMMF), in its "Float the Boat" Capital Campaign, was successful in raising funds for the restoration of the Overfalls lightship. Grants from the Longwood Foundation, Welfare Foundation, "Save America’s Treasures" program, Delaware Transportation Enhancement Fund and others, combined with funds raised over the years from local friends and businesses, have enabled OMMF to make significant strides in stabilizing the ship. Thanks to more than 15,000 volunteer hours and the successful campaign fund, the lightship has been completely rehabilitated with the exception of the hull below the waterline, which was inaccessible. In October, 2008 the ship was towed from Lewes, Delaware to the Colonna Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia where the ship was raised out of the water and the necessary hull repairs were done.
The most significant task now is the construction of a permanent berth on the Lewes canalfront for the lightship. Our "Bring Her Home" Capital Campaign focused on raising funds towards this goal. OMMF has also received additional funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the new berth is currently being built.
The Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation (OMMF), in its "Float the Boat" Capital Campaign, was successful in raising funds for the restoration of the Overfalls lightship. Grants from the Longwood Foundation, Welfare Foundation, "Save America’s Treasures" program, Delaware Transportation Enhancement Fund and others, combined with funds raised over the years from local friends and businesses, have enabled OMMF to make significant strides in stabilizing the ship. Thanks to more than 15,000 volunteer hours and the successful campaign fund, the lightship has been completely rehabilitated with the exception of the hull below the waterline, which was inaccessible. In October, 2008 the ship was towed from Lewes, Delaware to the Colonna Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia where the ship was raised out of the water and the necessary hull repairs were done.
The most significant task now is the construction of a permanent berth on the Lewes canalfront for the lightship. Our "Bring Her Home" Capital Campaign focused on raising funds towards this goal. OMMF has also received additional funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the new berth is currently being built.
In 2008, approximately 1,400 visitors from 31 states and 6 countries toured the Lightship Overfalls. Once it is completely preserved and floats in a permanent berth in the Lewes Canal, the Overfalls will welcome thousands of visitors from throughout the world for tours and educational programs, serving as a unique and valuable symbol of our maritime heritage, for future generations to cherish and enjoy. This is our vision - and only with your generous support will it become a reality.
Approach:
We are selling naming opportunities for components of the ship. The components and the giving levels are listed below. We are also asking individuals and foundations for financial support.
Recognition:
- A "Circle of Support" will be built near the ship's entrance with plaques, benches, tiles and bricks commemorating those who participated in saving the ship.
- "The Plank Owner’s Log" , a high quality publication, will describe the project and identify donors. Each donor will receive a copy.
- Donors will be listed on our Naming Opportunities Honor Roll webpage and on our Rosie the Riveter webpage.
How to Be Part of Saving the Ship:
- Select a Naming Opportunity - identify which one you chose, and send a check for the appropriate amount made out to the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation, clearly marked "for Capital Campaign" to: OMMF, Box 413, Lewes, DE 19958. If more convenient, donors may use a VISA or Master Card, but please specify which card and include the 16 digit number, the expiration date and the name as it appears on the card.
- Buy a Rivet - Give us the name(s) you would like listed on your certificate and send a check, or use our online donation form by entering "RIVET" in the "COMMENTS" section.
- If paying by credit card, you may prefer to use our secure online donation form. We are grateful for donations in any amount. Your donation will be acknowledged and appreciated. If a Naming Opportunity is purchased online, please use the "COMMENTS" section on the online donation form to tell us which Capital Campaign Naming Opportunity item you have selected and exactly what name(s) should be associated with that item. Also include your personal contact information so the Foundation can send you The Plank Owner’s Log. For more information, contact Elaine Simmerman at ElaineSimmerman@Earthlink.net or (302) 645-4733.
Capital Campaign Naming Opportunities
|
ITEM
|
GIFT
|
QTY
|
Taken
|
|
Ship’s Canalfront Slip
|
300,000
|
1
|
|
|
Ship’s Propeller
|
150,000
|
1
|
|
|
Main Anchor on Shore
|
150,000
|
1
|
|
|
Light
|
100,000
|
1
|
X
|
|
Main Mast
|
100,000
|
1
|
|
|
Fog Horn
|
100,000
|
1
|
|
|
Auxiliary Anchor on Starboard Bow
|
75,000
|
1
|
|
|
Ship’s Bell
|
75,000
|
1
|
|
|
Ship’s Wheel in Pilot House
|
50,000
|
1
|
|
|
Compass
|
50,000
|
1
|
|
|
Engine Order Telegraph in Pilot House
|
50,000
|
1
|
|
|
Rudder
|
25,000
|
1
|
|
|
Running Lights
|
25,000
|
1
|
|
|
Windlass
|
15,000
|
1
|
|
|
Deck Winch
|
15,000
|
1
|
|
|
Galley Range
|
15,000
|
1
|
|
|
Main Engine
|
10,000
|
1
|
X
|
|
Stack
|
10,000
|
1
|
|
|
Air Compressor - port
|
5,000
|
1
|
|
|
Air Compressor - starboard
|
5,000
|
1
|
|
|
Generator #1
|
5,000
|
1
|
X
|
|
Generator #2
|
5,000
|
1
|
|
|
Generator #3
|
5,000
|
1
|
|
|
Bilge/Fire Pump
|
5,000
|
1
|
X
|
|
Bridge VHF Radio - port
|
4,000
|
1
|
|
|
Bridge VHF Radio - starboard
|
4,000
|
1
|
X
|
|
Galley Lockers with Art Deco Doors
|
3,000
|
3
|
|
|
Mess Deck Tables
|
2,000
|
3
|
1 taken
|
|
Wardroom Table
|
2,000
|
1
|
|
|
Fuel Tanks
|
1,000
|
5
|
|
|
Starboard Bench in Crew’s Dayroom
|
1,000
|
1
|
|
|
Portside Bench in Crew’s Dayroom
|
1,000
|
1
|
|
|
Watertight Doors
|
1,000
|
8
|
6 taken
|
|
Desks in Officer’s Quarters
|
1,000
|
2
|
|
|
Portholes
|
500
|
25
|
18 taken
|
|
Air Scoops on Main Deck
|
500
|
6
|
|
|
Glass Circular Skylights over Officers’ Quarters
|
350
|
8
|
2 taken
|
|
Rivets*
|
250
|
100
|
78 taken
|
*Note: The Capital Campaign now incorporates the "Rosie the Riveter" sales initiative.