Support The Lighthouse: Five Ways You Can Help

Dear Members,

As you may know, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is currently closed to the public in compliance with the 30-day Safer at Home order issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This order officially went into effect on the evening of April 3^rd, 2020. 

Although museum staff has been directed to stay/work from home while the governor’s Safer at Home order is in effect, the Association will keep all employees on the active payroll through at least May 2, 2020.  The decision to do so was motivated by the desire to retain trained, qualified staff and to protect them from financial hardship. It is the Association’s hope to continue to do so in the event that the governor’s order is extended to later date.

However, funding for the museum is generated predominately through gift shop and admission sales.  With the lighthouse closed to the general public so too is the primary funding source for the Association’s ongoing operational costs including utilities, insurance, essential services, and employee payroll.

Although alternative financial support is currently being sought by administrative personnel through various sources including the CARE Act’s Paycheck Protection Program and potential state, federal, and privately-funded grants, your help is still desperately needed.

I am happy to say that many of our members answered the Preservation Association’s call for help after reading the museum’s April issue of Perspectives. The days following the electronic newsletter’s release witnessed a significant increase in the number of online transactions including gift shop merchandise sales, membership renewals, and memorial brick orders. The revenue generated by these purchases was greatly appreciated, especially given the current financial uncertainty many of us are experiencing at this time. We cannot thank you enough for your support and generosity.

Those wishing to support the lighthouse may still do so. Although you cannot currently visit the light station in person, you can still help the Association continue its mission to preserve and disseminate the maritime and social history of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse from the safety of your own home.

 

Support Us: Five Ways You Can Help

 

 

 

Donate to the Lighthouse General Fund: Help fund the Association’s efforts to continue its mission to preserve and disseminate the maritime and social history of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and pay its hardworking employees by donating to the Lighthouse General Fund. No donation is too small and every dollar helps.

 

Link: https://www.lighthouselocker.org/lighthouse-donations/

 

 

Shop Online: The museum’s brick and mortar gift shop may currently be closed but its online store at LighthouseLocker.org is open for business. Browse our extensive selection of online merchandise and help us keep our staff members gainfully employed during this troubling time.

 

Link: https://www.lighthouselocker.org/

Buy Admission Tickets in Advance:        

You can purchase admission tickets to the

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse for friends and family at 50% Off the regular admission rate during the COVID-19 crisis and then redeem them at any time once the lighthouse reopens. This offer is only good while the lighthouse and museum remain closed to the public so act now before it’s too late!.

 

Link: https://www.lighthouselocker.org/admission-tickets/

 

Purchase a Memorial Brick: Help the Association fund its current operations by purchasing a memorial brick for family, friends, and loved ones. Each personally engraved brick will be installed in the light station’s memorial walkway in perpetuity. Additional full-sized and miniature bricks may also be purchased at the time of your memorial brick purchase.

 

Link: https://www.lighthouselocker.org/memorial-bricks/

 

Become a Member: Give your family and friends the gift of history and adventure with an Annual Membership to Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse! For as little as $10 you can treat that special someone to a full year of unlimited access to Florida’s Tallest Lighthouse and one of the most authentic historic light stations in the nation.  Annual membership rates range from $10 for seniors and students to $40 for the entire family. Elevated memberships are also available for $100 to $500 depending on the level selected.

 

Link: https://www.lighthouselocker.org/regular-annual-membership/

 

 

 

The Preservation Association greatly appreciates your continued support and advocacy. We wish you the best and look forward to seeing you again at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum in the near future after the threat of the COVID-19 has passed. Please stay safe, healthy, and good spirits during this troubling time.

 

With Warm Regards,

 

 

 

Ed Gunn

Executive Director