The Children’s Museum of Phoenix has appointed Valley philanthropist Jan Lewis as Honorary Grandparent Chair of the 2020 Gala … Paint the City.

The appointment "underscores the museum’s recognition of the vital role grandparents play in children’s lives," according to a press release on the museum, which has more than 6,000 member families, 11.5% of which are grandparent memberships.

Ms. Lewis is co-founder and trustee of T.W. Lewis Foundation that supports  various programs for children and families in need, character education and many other non-profits that support the community.

Noted for being a "generous friend and supporter" of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix for years, her background is in special education, early childhood education and school counseling.

“Helping to strengthen families and our communities is important to me,” said Ms. Lewis about supporting the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, in a prepared statement.

“T.W. Lewis Foundation has been a proud supporter of the Museum’s WIC Program for years.”

Funding received from T.W. Lewis Foundation allows the Children’s Museum of Phoenix to distribute free annual memberships to families receiving Women, Infant and Children benefits.

Those eligible for WIC include pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 determined to be at “nutritional risk,” the release said.

Recipients must also have a gross income below 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines, which is between $12,490-$43,430 a year, depending on family size.

WIC recipients are reportedly some of the most low-income residents in the state as the median household income for Arizonans in 2017 was $56,581.

“I believe every child should benefit from the engaging early childhood programming at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix regardless of their families’ ability to afford the price of admission. The Museum’s WIC program makes it possible for children living in poverty to reap the benefits of playful learning in early childhood, which aids in their development and future success in school and in life,” said Ms. Lewis.

As the Honorary Grandparent Chair for the Paint the City 2020 Gala to benefit the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Ms. Lewis said she is honored to help the museum highlight this important familial bond.

“As a grandmother, I know firsthand how special and important the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can be. The museum provides a safe haven for all families to play, bond and explore together and is an important resource for families in our community.

I am delighted to help draw attention to the museum’s annual gala – it is the largest fundraising event of the year for the museum. The more money the museum raises at their gala, the more at-risk children they will be able to serve.”

Beginning at 6 p.m., with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction, the gala  is March 7, 2020 at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Co-chairs are Deanna Sheedy and Jennifer Vollmann, added the release.

Festivities continue outside with a live auction, and dinner, followed by an after-party, featuring a dessert reception and music to dance in the museum’s event space, The Monroe. 

Proceeds benefit the museum’s Every Child Program that provides free or reduced rate museum access to families with financial, emotional or circumstantial challenges.

More than 50,000 people visit the museum annually through this program, the release noted.

Tickets: $500 per person available at tinyurl.com/CMoPGala2020.

Or call Jazmyn Walker at 602-648-2761 for information.