Big Spring’s Jerry Worthy recently donated that amount to the Hangar 25 Air Museum Fund, which will use interest drawn from the money to ensure future operations.

“Hangar 25 is a wonderful asset to our community,” Worthy said in a statement. “I hope this gift helps provide permanent financial security for it, and I encourage others to consider a substantial gift to the foundation.”

Museum Director Meghan Bias was overjoyed at the news.

“We’re just thrilled,” she said. “He is an active museum board member and has been a great supporter since our beginning. Mr. Worthy is a very generous man, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.”

Bias said the money will serve as an endowment — the principal will remain untouched, while interest will be used to finance museum operations. More importantly, it will help Hangar 25 attain financial independence, she noted.

“This will help us keep our doors open for at least the next 25 years,” she said. “The more money that’s in the endowment fund, the less we’ll have to rely on grant money or other outside sources of revenue.”

Local attorney Drew Mouton, who serves as president of the Big Spring Area Community Foundation, which established the museum fund, echoed Bias’ comments.

“This is a permanently endowed fund, so this perpetual stream of income will guarantee permanent financial support for the museum,” Mouton said in a statement.

Aside from the museum, area activities supported by the community foundation include the Big Spring Symphony, Heritage Museum, Big Spring State Park, Comanche Trail Lake, scholarships for area graduates and other charitable needs for the community, Mouton said.

Anyone interested in contributing to an existing fund or establishing a new fund should contact Mouton at 263-7676.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it