The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum is the recent recipient of a $25,000 gift from the Edna Piantanida Trust, in memory of Paul Piantanida, who ran the auto repair business on the site where the museum stands today.

The Paintanida family has a long history with the Children’s Museum. Edna’s husband, Paul, owned the machine shop at the corner of Nipomo and Monterey streets. Paul’s Garage opened in 1948 and eventually served as the original Children’s Museum, from 1990 to 2004.

Paintanida was a well-loved and respected member of the San Luis Obispo community. As a child, he helped support his family through the Great Depression. As an adult, he founded and ran two successful companies, served in World War II, and mentored Cal Poly students.

Paul and Edna Paintanida lost their son, Gary, at the age of 15 to lymphatic leukemia. It is, therefore, that much more touching that his widow chose to support the children of the community through gifts to San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum.

The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum, inspiring learning through play for children ages two to 10, is located at 1010 Nipomo Street in San Luis Obispo. Summer programming, Fins, Feathers & Fur, brings the animal world up-close.

For more information call (805) 545-5874 or visit www.slocm.org.