Parkinsons and Burpee Museum 50/50

Joseph Mongan is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Joe and father-in-law Herb Page with first bones
of Jimmy found in 2011.

Help "Jimmy" the Diplodocus Speak up for the Burpee museum and the National Parkinson Foundation.

"Any donation can help preserve the world and change the world"

My name is Joseph Mongan and I’m an amateur paleontologist. I’ve been going on Burpee Expeditions for the last 8 years through the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford Illinois. During a hot day in June of 2011, I found the first bone of a rare, juvenile long-necked Diplodocus dinosaur, that the museum will exhibit when preparation of the bones is complete. I had the privilege of naming this rare dinosaur “Jimmy”, after my father James W. Mongan. My father suffered from Parkinson’s disease for many years, and even had 2 deep brain stimulators put into his brain to help control his movements. I have seen the effects that Parkinson’s disease has on a person. He passed away in January 2011. That year started out tough for me in many ways. After my father passed I had a job change and started my own business. If not for winning a free trip to the expedition in Utah at the annual Burpee fundraiser, I would have not gone in 2011. You could say “thing’s happen for a reason”.

I recently learned that the Burpee Museum is in urgent need of financial help for their paleontology program. I would also like to raise money for National Parkinson Foundation because I believe in their mission "To improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s disease through research, education and outreach". The funds raised will be split 50/50 between these originations. Funds for Burpee museum will support the staff, students, lab and expeditions so that the scientific and educational work will continue. Why is this so important? Over the last several years, the United States continuously falls behind other developed countries, like Japan, China, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada and France, in the area of science literacy. We need to inspire more children and adults to learn about science. Paleontology is a known “gateway” science and paleontology related exhibits are a huge attendance draw at natural history museums all over the world.

For several years I have been helping Burpee Museum excavate Late Jurassic (150 Million Year Old) dinosaurs from the Hanksville -Burpee Dinosaur Quarry , near Hanksville, Utah. This immense bonebed was discovered in 2008 and was listed by National Geographic as one of the TOP TEN FOSSIL FINDS for that year. The site is massive and preserves skeletons of dozens of dinosaurs that washed up onto sandbars in a large river. Jimmy is a juvenile, long necked dinosaur called a Diplodocus. Burpee expeditons have found approximately 50% complete so far, this dinosaur appears to be only 1/3 grown. When mounted it may be 35-40 feet in length, whereas an adult Diplodocus could reach over 100! This dinosaur could give paleontologists more information on how dinosaurs grew up and what changes they went through. This information can make a contribution to people of my lifetime and beyond. Please help Jimmy to speak up for science, to speak up for everyone’s ability to discover the wonders of nature, and to speak up for families with a loved one who suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

The National Parkinson Foundation listened to my story, and wants to be involved in this fundraising goal. When you can make a donation the funds will help in starting to prepare the bones of Jimmy. This will take 2 years to complete. Many staff hours and volunteer hours go into prepping a dinosaur. Estimated costs are $125,000. Imagine what another $125,000 could do for Parkinson’s patients care and further research.
See links below and follow Burpee Museum to get updates on the ongoing Burpee Expeditions dig of 2015. You may even want to help and join us on an expedition. Yes even you can go on an adventure of a lifetime. Want to just tour the site? Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Tours for more information

“Parkinson’s does not need to last a lifetime, but Jimmy needs to last a lifetime for everyone to enjoy”.

Sincerely,
Joseph Mongan

2015 Hanksville Utah

The Burpee Museum of Natural History is the only one of its kind in the United States. It is a small, regional museum founded by local people. In 2002, it made headlines around the world with the discovery of Jane, the most complete, best preserved juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex in the world!

Burpee Museum of Natural History

Burpee Museum Facebook

Burpee Museum Blog

Rockford Register Star

National Parkinson Foundation

The Mission of Burpee Museum of Natural History- To inspire all people to engage in a lifetime of discovery and learning about the natural world, through preservation and interpretation.

The Burpee Museum of Natural History is a 501©(3) charitable organization and your contribution is tax deductible.

National Parkinson Foundation mission- Works to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s disease through research, education and outreach