Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center was featured in a “Rise & Shine” segment of ABC’s “Good Morning America” last week, along with several other Alabama destinations. The segment filmed at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center with ABC correspondent Gio Benitez highlighted businesses and attractions in Alabama that showed resilience during the pandemic.
“Good Morning America” knew about the “Saving Space Camp” campaign of 2020 that raised in one week more than $1.5 million, according to a press release put out by the Alabama Department of Tourism.
Donations from almost 9,000 donors from all 50 states and 40 countries raised enough to keep the Rocket Center from closing permanently. The monetary support was significant to Space Camp being able to return.
Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director of the Space & Rocket Center, welcomed Benitez and GMA crew.
“We were so pleased to host Good Morning America at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center,” said Robinson. “It was great to see ABC correspondent Gio Benitez launch and land the space shuttle, perform an EVA and tumble on the multi-axis trainer as part of the astronaut training, we do at Space Camp.”
Space Camp got more good news last October when Boeing made a $3.5 million donation to build a new 40,600-square-foot Boeing Space Camp Operations Center that will be the permanent home for U.S. Cyber Camp, as well as a 1,000-seat auditorium, and 10 classrooms and laboratories that support the Space Camp family of programs.
“We have a big celebration of Space Camp’s 40th anniversary this summer, and thanks to the tremendous support we received from around the world during the pandemic, our sights are set on the next 40 years and beyond,” said Dr. Robinson.
Other Alabama businesses and destinations featured in Friday’s show included a glimpse into K & J’s Elegant Pastries in Alabaster and Alabama Booksmith in Hoover; Murder Point Oyster Farm in Bayou La Batre, Gray Gulf Charters in Dauphin Island and Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s in Gulf Shores, among others.
“With all the amazing attractions in our state, being included on Good Morning America is an extreme honor,” said Jake Reiss, owner of Alabama Booksmith.
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