FORT SMITH -- Fort Kids Children's Museum announced Monday its capital campaign reached $2 million, thanks to a donation from professional basketball player and Fort Smith native Isaiah Joe.
The gift from Joe, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, brings the museum closer to its capital campaign goal of $16.3 million, with $7 million needed to commence construction, according to a news release from the museum.
The amount of the donation was not released by the organization.
"We are incredibly grateful to Isaiah Joe for his support and generosity," Kellie Black, chairman of development for the Board of Directors, said in the release. "This contribution is a testament to the community's belief in our mission to provide a safe and engaging space for children to learn through play."
Joe partnered with the organization for a summer basketball camp at Northside High School and plans another camp Aug. 23.
"Hosting this camp in my hometown was an incredible experience," Joe said in the release. "Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces and knowing we're making a positive impact in the community means the world to me. I look forward to another camp in 2025."
Fort Kids Children's Museum plans to feature hands-on exhibits and educational programs, and the museum will be located on a 5.6-acre site donated by the Robbie Westphal family, just south of the U.S. Marshals Museum.
For more information about the children's museum, visit the Fort Kids Children's Museum website.
