Arab American National Museum and ACCESS win $150,000 McGregor Award

NEWS
Contact:
Kim Silarski
313-624-0206
ksilarski@accesscommunity.org
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MCGREGOR AWARDS $150,000 TO ACCESS AND AANM

Dearborn, MI (October 25, 2007) – The Arab Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) has accepted a $150,000 grant from the McGregor Fund, a Detroit-based philanthropic organization. The money is designated for implementation of a comprehensive community relations and marketing campaign for the Arab American National Museum (AANM), a project of ACCESS.

“These funds represent vital resources to spread the word about the existence of the Arab American National Museum, which has been open for less than three years,” says Museum Director Dr. Anan Ameri. “As a new institution with a national focus, we hope to reach all Americans with our messages – that Arab Americans have long been part of the fabric of this country, making significant contributions; and that the Arab American experience is the same as the experience of all the various ethnic groups who immigrated to the U.S. in search of a better life.”

The McGregor Fund is a private foundation established in 1925 by gifts from Katherine and Tracy McGregor “to relieve the misfortunes and promote the well-being of mankind.” The foundation awards grants to organizations in the following areas: human services, education, health care, arts and culture, and public benefit. The area of principal interest of the foundation is the city of Detroit and Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The McGregor Fund has granted nearly $180 million since its founding and had assets of $197 million as of June 30, 2007. Visit www.mcgregorfund.org for additional information.

The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. We serve as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.

The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313-582-2266 for further information.

###