April Showers are bringing May blooms to Wewoka’s Seminole Nation Museum on Tuesday, May 25 in the form the 25th Annual fundraiser sponsored by the Daisy Garden Club.

Daisy President, Merry White, said the event is open to the public and the 2021 Shower will be a “come and go reception” from 11 a.m.—2 p.m. at the museum, 524 S. Wewoka Ave., Wewoka.

Museum Executive Director, Richard Ellwanger reported, “Daisy Unit Garden Club’s April Shower event is the largest and most successful operational fundraiser we have, and we are so grateful that the Daisy ladies have supported the work of the museum and believe in the impact we have on the Wewoka community and the surrounding regions.” Ellwanger went on to speculate, “I wonder if that group of Daisy ladies had any idea of what a powerful legacy of community involvement they started back in 1997!”

Some of the projects completed in past years through April Shower gifts include the purchase of a zero-turn lawn mower, renovation of the kitchen and staff break area, new window frames for the building, new landscaping, the development of the permanent exhibition “An Everlasting Fire,” preservation supplies, new HVAC systems and environmental controls, emergency preparedness material and even 2 billboards advertising the museum on Interstate 40 among a host of other items.

Gifts of much-needed supplies and materials on the Museum Wish List give the museum the opportunity to concentrate its spending on programming that directly impacts the Seminole County region including hosting traveling exhibits and our new Pioneer Learning for Area Youth (P.L.A.Y. Day) to be held for the second time on October 22, the Friday prior to Sorghum Festival. needing April Shower support include:

Exterior Wood--repair of the building’s exterior cedar wood siding and window lintels. Some boards will need replacing and all the wood needs to be re-sealed and painted. Estimated cost: $7,500.

Winter Weather Damage-- two sections of the roof sustained damage and shrubs and perennials were killed during the February freeze. Estimated cost $4,800.

Collections Storage—The museum has received a $20,000 grant from the Oklahoma Historical Society to enhance collections storage areas. Matching funds are needed to complete the project which has a budget of $45,000. With the grant money of $20,000 and a donor who has contributed $5000, another $20,000 is still needed.

In the 25 year history of Daisy Ladies supporting the Museum through April Showers, the premise of the event has always been that “Small gifts can make a BIG difference!” That remains true and non-cash gifts such as postage stamps, paper towel, light bulbs, bathroom tissue, office supplies, and cleaning supplies rank high on the Museum’s WISH LIST. To view the list, visit www.seminolenationmuseum.org or on the Seminole Nation Museum page on Facebook. You can also call the museum at (405)257-5580 or email director@seminolenationmuseum.org Don’t forget, your time is also a valuable gift. Museum volunteers are always needed.