State Representative Don Humason, Jr., Amelia Park Children’s Museum Director Karen Rubin, Westfield Home Depot Store Manager Michele Minniear, Westfield Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and the Team Depot members dedicate the new outdoor picnic area yesterday at The Amelia Park Children’s Museum. (Photo by BID Director Maureen Belliveau)
WESTFIELD – The Amelia Park Children’s Museum dedicated its new picnic area yesterday as nearly 2,000 visitors explored the museum.
The picnic spot is courtesy of The Home Depot in Westfield. Store Manager Michele Minniear said she was originally approached by the local moms’ group to provide a few painted picnic tales. After speaking with Museum Director Karen Rubin, Minniear said she thought they could do something even better.
“I applied for a Team Depot grant and received it,” said Minniear. “We were able to provide two 10 x 20″ pergolas, four picnic tables, vinyl fencing around the area and landscaping.”
All materials were supplied by The Home Depot, as was the labor. Team Depot is recognized nationally as having developed and implemented best practices for corporate volunteer programming.
“My associates at the Westfield store built the pergolas from scratch, with some help from employees of the West Springfield and Wilbraham stores,” said Minnear.
Minnear was thrilled to be able to help.
“I know our customers appreciate it and we are all local residents,” said Minniear. “This is our city and we want to be a part of it.”
The Home Depot Westfield store recently made a donation to the funeral reception for fallen Officer Jose Torres, helped out at the rail trail, and they run kid’s workshops in Westfield schools. Minniear said she wishes she could help with every request and added that the museum project was a special one.
“It’s such a happy place,” she said. “I’m glad we could do something that will be enjoyed for years to come.”
