Dear Friends,

The PMA needs your help during this increased membership drive.

We are very grateful for the consistent financial and moral support of our PMA members. They are our first and best source of funding. We have nearly 900 members from 37 states, Australia, and Poland; but being the oldest and largest Polish American museum in the nation should produce 5-6 times that many members.

We thank Wspolnota Polska—the Association of the Polish Community Abroad—for their monetary support last year, and we hope, in 2010. Their support has freed up monies for other areas of the Museum. The Ministry of Culture also provides the PMA with visiting archivists and specialists from Poland who come to work with our PMA Staff in an atmosphere of mutual learning.

I wish you could have been present as a former Curator of the PMA returned for visit and tour of the Museum and the renovated Paderewski Room. He was so moved at what had been accomplished since his tenure. His is the reaction that we receive from so many upon their first visit or return visit after many years; but to see it through a professional’s eyes makes it all the more precious and worth keeping.

Our staff members are committed professionals, and your support allows them to attend seminars and classes to hone their skills. They work at lesser salaries than their skills warrant because they love and respect the Museum and Library. There is rarely a time when a caller or visitor’s question cannot be answered by appropriate Museum personnel.

The Museum’s value lies not only in the historical treasures that are preserved here, but also in the many generous and talented people who work hard to make this great institution possible.

Become a member of The Polish Museum of America. As a not-for-profit organization, the PMA depends upon individual donations, and proceeds from the annual Summer Ball. However, these efforts are not sufficient to meet the rising cost of maintaining the Museum, therefore we must rely upon the generosity of supporting members to continue its programs. Without membership, the Museum would not be able to keep up with escalating costs. We invite you to respond to the financial challenges and needs of the Museum by becoming a supporting member. The PMA is indispensible in preserving the Polish past for the future. We hope that you will join us.

Please make checks payable to: Polish Museum of America and mail to: PMA Membership, The Polish Museum of America, 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago Illinois 60642-4101. Donations to the PMA are tax deductable. We sincerely thank you for your generosity.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership and here for a printable membership form. You can join us at Facebook, Museum is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-IL/Polish-Museum-of-America/96920757924 and Library is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-IL/Polish-Museum-Library/80184772567?ref=ts and become fans.

On behalf of the PMA Team, we thank you!

Sincerely,
Maria Ciesla, President
Jan M. Lorys, Director