By Jared Lindell
The Community Foundation makes many grants from year to year that focus on new projects and initiatives. However, grants are also made to organizations that have undertaken large-scale, multiple-phase projects that may take many years to complete. The Marshall Martz Memorial Astronomical Association (MMMAA) has undertaken such a project with the rebuilding of the Martz Observatory in Frewsburg.
Since 1979, the Marshall Martz Memorial Astronomical Association’s mission has been to inform, educate, and inspire the general public and support teaching in the sciences of astronomy and physics through accessible, engaging and entertaining programs. At the very center of this mission is the Martz Observatory. A few years ago the MMMAA began fundraising to completely renovate the Observatory with the main component being the telescope, due to the wear and tear the facility and equipment had endured over a 20-year span.
In just a few short years, the progress that has been made at the Observatory is nothing short of amazing, with the facility and main component, being the telescope, now in working order.
Some of the MMMAA’s work has been accomplished with the help of numerous Community Foundation grants. From the perspective of CRCF, one of the key aspects of the Observatory’s progress is that it will provide a unique educational service to area students. Eventually, images that are collected from the telescope are available to students and teachers in area classrooms. This provides a distinct scientific value for those students and classes wishing to explore the sky and space. The MMMAA also plans to have special software put in place that will allow schools to access the telescope right from the comfort of the classroom. This software would allow students to view images through the telescope directly from their computers.
Additionally, providing a service outside of the imagery and use of the telescope, members of the MMMAA donate their time and experience to help teachers and students learn how to access the telescope and collect and interpret data. All of these services are one-of-a-kind in New York State, as the Martz Observatory is the only such facility that offers these services to school systems in the state.
Last month, the Martz Observatory held an open house and welcomed the public to the Observatory to witness the progress firsthand. While CRCF has not been the only organization to provide financial assistance to the MMMAA, the Association acknowledges the support of the Community Foundation in making aspects of the Observatory rebuilding process possible. As stated in a recent copy of the MMMAA’s newsletter, “The faith they (CRCF) have in us goes beyond anything expected…the Association will never be able to thank CRCF enough, other than the satisfaction from all the children who benefit from this project.”
The MMMAA is a fine example of an organization with strong initiative and dedication to make a large project come to fruition. While there is still work to be done, they have shown that, with will and passion, a goal can become reality. This could be true for your organization, as well. CRCF takes pride in helping organizations achieve their goals and is always pleased to lend a helping hand.
Published in the August 6th edition of The Post-Journal