Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham has received a $100,000 gift from BB&T that followed the recent community kickoff and beginning of construction at the museum's future site in downtown Rockingham.

The donation is part of the continuing capital campaign that will meet objectives for facility and endowment needs as well as exhibition upgrades, fabrication and maintenance.

"It is fitting that a bank that operates on such a personal level, with a local bank feel, should play such a large role in making dreams come true for children in the Sandhills," said Russell Bennett, Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham campaign cabinet co-chair. "We are grateful for their generosity as we continue our fundraising efforts. We are also appreciative of Brian Baucom, the certified county executive for Richmond County, who serves on our corporate committee to elicit support from area corporations and businesses."

BB&T functions under a community banking approach that allows decisions to be made close to the customer. Because the company's banking subsidiaries are organized as a group of hometown banks, each with a regional president, 95 percent of key banking decisions are made locally at either the city or the regional level, a news release said.

As North Carolina's oldest bank, BB&T has acquired more than 35 community banks and thrifts, 85 insurance agencies and 32 non-bank financial services companies since 1995.

"BB&T is proud to support Discovery Place KIDS and applauds this outstanding organization for its commitment to improving the quality of life in the community," said Vince Nelson, president, south central region. "We wish them continued success in this most commendable endeavor that will serve our entire region and state."

The Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham project was launched by the commitment of $6.6 million in funds from the Cole Foundation and the Richmond Community Foundation. Their visionary leadership gifts, which were facilitated by the Foundation for the Carolinas, are intended for the long-term sustainability of the Museum.

Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham will open in 2013 on E. Washington Street in the location once occupied by the McKenzie Furniture building and will be a learning-through-play experience that encourages imagination, creativity and skill development for children and their caregivers.