In Memory of Jennifer Picariello

A Fundraiser to Benefit the

Mid-Hudson Children's Museum

In Loving Memory of

Jennifer Picariello

Jennifer Picariello graduated from Arlington High School in 1991. She attended Arizona State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Jennifer intended to use this education toward helping others and in time came to realize her true passion was teaching and working with children.

Jennifer enrolled in Mt. Saint Mary’s Graduate School to work towards earning a degree in Elementary Education. Unfortunately, on April 5, 2006, just one credit shy of receiving her Master’s Degree; Jennifer passed away after a lengthy battle with liver disease at the young age of 32.

Prior to her death, Jennifer was employed at Happy Campers Day School in Beekman, NY. She was the head teacher for 4 & 5 year-olds who entertained her and made her smile until the very end.

Jennifer often visited the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, located in Poughkeepsie, NY, and was impressed with all it had to offer for young children. She had planned on arranging a field trip for her class and other members of Happy Campers Day School. Her plans were cut short by her illness and untimely death. Her parents and friend, Denise Heintz, decided that the best way to carry on Jennifer’s dream of furthering the development and learning of children was to create a lasting memorial in her name at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum.

All contributions will be made in Jennifer’s name to help in the development of the new, multi-cultural exhibit, RiverTown, opening on November 30, 2007.

Checks can be sent to:
Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
75 North Water St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Attn: Barbara Klassen, Director of Development

Payable to: Mid-Hudson Children's Museum

Include Acct# 42000-660

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We are proud to announce the opening of an all new exhibit at the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum. "RiverTown" celebrates the diversity of the people who live in the towns and cities throughout the Hudson Valley. It's playful, kid-size shops and storefronts are full of engaging activities and play areas that will allow children and families to learn about the customs and traditions of other cultures while encouraging them to reflect on their own.

The 1500 square foot exhibit will feature the RiverTown Community Center with arts and craft activities representing a number of cultures, la Amistad; a Mexican bakery; Lotus Market, a Pakistani grocery; Hudson Valley Chinese School, a Chinese language school; and Building Blocks, the street front construction site of a Haitian contractor. These storefronts will be set alongside familiar city sites: Niagara firehouse, M&T bank and a public square.

RiverTown will provide children and adults a place in which to role-play the activities of the culturally diverse merchants and business people of our community. Within the familiar, faux-city setting visitors will be able to see, touch and hear the sights, objects and sounds of five specific cultures. Children will imagine being someone other than themselves; wearing the costumes, making the cakes, practicing the language of people whose backgrounds are different than theirs. Through the play activities presented in the exhibit, children will be able to better appreciate how sharing our cultural attributes will make each of us richer. Through accompanying text and information, adults will be better able to share the experience with their children.

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75 North Water Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
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