The Aerospace Museum of California’s Trustee Legacy Dinner attendees include Supervisor Rich Desmond, museum Vice-President of Advancement Karen Jones, scholarship winners Gregory Rubio, Vihaan Saxena and Charlie Martinez, museum CEO Tom Jones and Ellsworth Hovey Gretchell Foundation representative Ben Marsh.

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Almost 45 years after blast off, the Aerospace Museum of California last week celebrated 18 years as a self-supporting entity at the former McClellan Air Force Base.  

Almost 80 supporters applauded $500,000 in fundraising and the appointment a new emeritus board member. Aviation company founder Clay Lacy will chair the museum’s 2025 board of emeritus trustees. The 92-year-old flight pioneer was presented with a crystal airplane trophy by one of the museum’s youngest supporters, Caden Mara, 9.

A center of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education), Aerospace Museum of California also awarded scholarships for aspiring pilots. Three young men each received $12,500 toward acquiring private pilot licenses. The future aviators will graduate from Sacramento-area high schools in the next few weeks. Last year’s awardees, both female, are now professional pilots.

 

Caden Mara presents a crystal airplane trophy to veteran museum supporter Clay Lacy.

“These scholarships are life-changing,” said Aerospace Museum of California advancement Vice-President Karen Jones. “We award them to young people who demonstrate outstanding passion for aviation.”

Funds raised by the gala will boost Aerospace Museum of California’s continuing STEM education programs. Donations also sponsor traveling displays. The upcoming ‘Snoopy and the Red Baron’ exhibit, on loan from the Charles M Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, does not cost peanuts. Acquisition of rare aviation artifacts is also enabled by supporter gifts.

Gala sponsors included McClellan Park, Safe Credit Union, Sacramento County Department of Airports, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, Ellsworth Hovey Gretchell Foundation and many private donors.