News

Hands On! honored for serving people after Helene

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 2, 2025

Hands On! Children’s Museum has received national recognition for its extraordinary service to children and families during and after Hurricane Helene.

The museum was awarded the prestigious Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award by the Association of Science and Technology Centers, a global organization that celebrates excellence, innovation and transformative impact in the museum field.

This marks the first national award in Hands On!’s 18-year history. The museum was honored for its rapid and compassionate response following Hurricane Helene, which included providing essential aid and STEM enrichment to thousands of families across the region.
“We are truly honored to receive this remarkable recognition from ASTC,” said Joseph Knight, director and CEO of Hands On! Children’s Museum. “This award reflects the power of community collaboration and the meaningful role children’s museums can play during times of crisis.”
In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, Hands On! opened its doors free of charge to thousands of people for several weeks, becoming a vital distribution hub for shelf-stable food, baby formula, clothing, toys and other essentials. The museum served hundreds of hot meals provided by World Central Kitchen and partnered with Dr. Elsie Osei-Nkansah and RHA Health Services to offer free acute medical care and mental health support.
By day 3 of the crisis, the museum had secured Starlink satellite internet, providing thousands of people with free connectivity. Families reconnected with loved ones, first responders coordinated helicopter rescues, and business owners managed critical operations—all from within the museum’s walls. For the first two weeks, Hands On! remained open 12 hours a day, every day.
The museum also worked closely with local nonprofits including El Centro, WNC Housing Assistance, Henderson County Foster Parent Association and The Free Clinics to connect residents with vital resources.
As the community transitioned from emergency response to recovery, Hands On! partnered with the North Carolina Children’s Museum, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and Two Men and a Truck to develop and distribute hundreds of free STEM kits to schools and childcare centers throughout WNC. These kits helped children stay engaged in hands-on learning during the months following Helene.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our partners,” Knight said. “These STEM kits empowered children to explore and learn in a fun and meaningful way during a time of uncertainty.