ROME — Local, family-owned business Peterson’s Exotic Pets became a premier member of the Project Fibonacci Foundation’s First Founders Club by contributing $12,222 in support of the highly anticipated MOSART — Multiversity of Science, Art, and Technology — Center set to open in downtown Rome in 2023.
Owner Patty Peterson contacted the foundation to express her family’s interest in the project soon after the announcement was made that the MOSART Center would be coming to Rome.
The amount of the donation has attached to it a sentimental back story. According to Peterson, the inspiration to support the project came about on Feb. 2 of this year.
“While writing the date on the check, it reminded me of my grandson’s birth date of Feb. 2, 2002, and as I continued making the check out to the foundation, I noticed the check number had a string of ‘twos’ and wow, I knew fate had stepped in and decided to capture the magic,” recalled Peterson.
Foundation Chair and Founder Andrew Drozd said he was very humbled by the Peterson family’s generosity.
“I am immensely grateful for their support of the MOSART vision setting a powerful, positive tone in community relations for a greater good,” Drozd said.
Peterson’s Exotic Pets, founded by James Peterson Sr., has been a family-owned staple in the Rome community since 1970. Currently, it is the only locally-owned pet supply store in Rome that provides pet supplies, a wide range of small pets — from birds to amphibians to tropical fish — and animal care advice from their knowledgeable staff.
“Several years ago, a disastrous fire at their previous James Street store forced the Petersons to relocate and rebuild their business, which continues to serve Rome and the surrounding area and is a testament to the family’s pride, strength and resilience,” said Drozd.
Peterson said the family-owned business has been fortunate, and it is important for local businesses to work together during both good, as well as tough times, and to always find ways of improving the community.”
Peterson said she believes MOSART will benefit Rome by appealing to its youth and is excited by the prospect of activities and events rarely seen in the local area hosted in the downtown business and arts district.
“The community support that the Peterson family has shown is exemplary of helping hands helping other helping hands,” Drozd added.
The foundation is in the process of raising $1 million for the MOSART project and continues to seek major donors.
The First Founders Club recognizes the financial contributions of individuals and organizations in support of the foundation’s MOSART mission. In turn, the foundation will dedicate office rooms, building wings and a founders’ wall in the name of donors, family members or organizations to establish a durable community legacy.
In addition to being the new home for the Project Fibonacci Foundation and its programs, MOSART will host an interactive exhibition area featuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) inspired art juxtaposed to traditional art works.
The association of science and art through AI is at the core of Drozd’s vision.
“The downtown arts district is perfectly aligned with the foundation’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) mission, and this was a driving consideration in our selection,” said Drozd.
The foundation expects to announce the selected location of the center in the coming weeks.
For more information on fundraising options, contact Drozd at adrozd@projectfibonacci.org or call 315-335-1238. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to the Project Fibonacci Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 424, Rome, N.Y. 13442-0424.
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