FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMUNITY DONATES ECHO ANNUAL PASSES TO NEIGHBORS

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Thanks to our generous community, ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is pleased to announce that it will give 1,029 Annual Passes to low-income kids and families this year. During the recent holiday season, when people acquired or renewed an Annual Pass, ECHO matched their purchase by donating an Annual Pass to a neighbor in need.

Annual Pass Matching Gift donations are made possible through ECHO's Open Door community access program; a partnership with social service agencies, an EPA matching grant, Comcast sponsorship, The Times Argus print sponsorship, as well as generous individual donations.

ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is based at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, on Vermont's Burlington Waterfront. ECHO features 70 species of live fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles, over 100 hands-on experiences, major traveling exhibits, and the multimedia Awesome Forces Theater. The 2.2 acre site is also highlighted by the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial, ECHO's Eclectic Gift Shop, and seasonal café. Open year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed select Mondays in winter. Admission is $7-$9.50; children under 3 and K-12 classroom teachers with credential ID are free. For more information visit echovermont.org, call 1-877-ECHOFUN, or write to ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, One College Street, Burlington, VT 05401.