Submitted photo Members of the Reckart Logistics, Inc., team gather outside the company headquarters in Elkins before the 2025 Mountain State Forest Festival Children’s Parade.

ELKINS — The Interact Children’s Museum has received its first donation from a business Reckart Logistics, Inc., gave a $5,000 donation to the museum in January.

The ICM announced the donation, stating that Reckart Logistics, Inc., “a local, woman-owned company” has made the first business gift to the museum’s Founding 150 Campaign.

“Our fundraising committee has been in touch with several area businesses, but Reckart is the first to respond,” ICM Board President Lisa Martin said in a press release announcing the donation. “They’ve been a friend to the museum for quite a while, and we love having their name as one of our Founding Family businesses.”

The museum stated that the $5,000 cash gift “honors the many families” who are a part of Reckart Logistics, Inc.

“We believe our success is due to our people, so having a children’s museum in Elkins is important to us,” Reckart Logistics President Gina Reckart said in the release. “We have several young families here and we’re always eager to include them in company activities, whether it’s at the Forest Festival parades or at other company celebrations. We’re grateful for everything they do.”

The Interact Children’s Museum’s Founding 150 Campaign invites families and businesses to provide lead gifts to help develop the museum’s first brick and mortar location at the Dann Building. The campaign seeks donation gifts of $1,000 to $10,000 to provide a foundation for the new location. According to the release, donors will be recognized on a permanent display inside the museum.

The museum has also received a $5,000 donation from Tammie Thompson and a $195,000 donation from the Gerald and Judith Davis Foundation.

New equipment, furniture and floor cushioning, as well as play areas, will be installed in the building. In addition, space will be set aside for hosting birthday parties and other fun events. The campaign also will fund initial operating expenses to ensure long-term success.

The Dann Building is currently undergoing upgrades by Seneca Mall, LLC to provide new electrical, HVAC, accessible restrooms and other improvements for a bright and welcoming space for the community. Amber Kwasniewski of the Mills Group is providing design.

For additional information about the museum or on how to donate, visit interactchildrensmuseum.org or email Martin at interactmuseum@gmail.com.