The newly named Discovery World on Market mascot Izzy (Torie Jackson from WVU Parkersburg) poses for photos with Criss Elementary School fourth-grader Connor Fleshman, who suggested the name, Wednesday at the school. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Discovery World on Market revealed the name of its mascot this week and is launching a fundraising campaign to support development of the interactive children’s museum.

From among suggestions by more than 350 kids in Wood and Washington counties, “Izzy” was chosen as the mascot name at the April meeting of the marketing committee for Discovery World. The name was submitted by Criss Elementary School fourth-grader Connor Fleshman, who won a one-year family membership to Discovery World and will participate in the grand opening festivities in October.

“We are excited to welcome Izzy, our new mascot designed by Roto, one of the nation’s leaders in children museum designs and the developers of our museum exhibits,” said Wendy Shriver, executive director of Discovery World on Market.

The choice was revealed Wednesday morning at a surprise visit to Criss by Izzy herself, aka Torie Jackson, vice president of institutional advancement for WVU Parkersburg.

The mission of the Children’s Museum of the MOV Inc., also known as Discovery World on Market, is to create an environment for children and the community that exercises curiosity, promotes exploration and develops imagination through hands-on learning experiences.

The newly named Discovery World on Market mascot Izzy (Torie Jackson from WVU Parkersburg) poses for photos with Criss Elementary School fourth-grader Connor Fleshman, who suggested the name, Wednesday at the school. (Photo Provided)

Discovery World is also working to raise money toward the overall $10.2 million venture spearheaded by the Ross Foundation.

“Behind the scenes we have been working hard to engage potential exhibit sponsors and write grants to help meet our fundraising goal of $1.5 million dollars in community support,” Shriver said. “To date, we have raised over $700,000 and are looking to engage local businesses and individual donors to help us ‘Fill the Hopper.'”

The “Fill the Hopper” theme is based on the central climbing structure in the Ball Factory that will fill the first floor of the museum at 900 Market St.

“Our Ball Factory will encourage visitors to work together toward common goals by emphasizing communication, collaboration and community,” a release from Discovery World said. “At the top of the Climber, balls will fill the Hopper, and once full, an alarm will sound that the quota has been met and open the Hopper to drop them on the floor for the kids to enjoy.”

Businesses and individuals who donate to the campaign — more information online at dwonmarket.org or the museum’s Facebook page — will be invited to participate in one of two planned “Before and After” tours in June and a soft opening celebration.