Peter J. Mulry Foundation

09/27/2026

🌕 Why does tonight’s Harvest Moon look so enormous?

When the Moon rises beside trees, rooftops, or distant hills, your brain has familiar objects to compare it with. That can make it seem much larger than it does high in the open sky. Scientists call this the Moon illusion; exactly how our brains create it is still debated. The Moon itself hasn’t suddenly grown.

Here’s a fun test: photograph the Moon near the horizon, then take another picture later using the same zoom setting. Compare its width in both photos. Your eyes may tell you it was gigantic at moonrise, even when the pictures show nearly the same size.

And that beautiful orange color? That’s a separate effect. Near the horizon, moonlight passes through more of Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters away more blue light before it reaches your eyes.

Look toward the eastern horizon around sunset tonight. Does the Harvest Moon look bigger—or more orange—where you are? 🍂

03/19/2025

09/30/2024

Why are we teaching kids life skills for success? So that they can grow into WHO they are with CONFIDENCE. Check out all of the Threads & Friends books at the link below. Perfect for those fall nights by the fire or bedtime stories to keep the entertainment and the learning high. Thank you for your support of our mission to share Threads & Friends with Tampa Bay and beyond. Every purchase directly impacts our STAR students to increase literacy and reading enrichment in our community. We appreciate you.

09/26/2024

Sometimes all you need is a hand.

As this next storm approaches, remember that a simple gesture can make all the difference. Lend a helping hand or a smile to another.

Stay safe, stay prepared.

09/16/2024

Success comes after the hard work is done. How do you define success? 🗻

09/08/2024

Literacy is a fundamental human right that empowers individuals and builds stronger, more just communities.

Yet, at least 1 out of 7 adults and millions of children globally still lack basic literacy skills!

This , we join the global call to promote literacy for peace and mutual understanding, this year’s theme.

We are committed to making sure that every child in Tampa Bay has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through literacy.

This is how we bring forth equality, social cohesion, and a brighter future for all! 🌍

09/07/2024

We're on a mission to shine bright right here in Tampa Bay! The Peter J. Mulry Foundation has 10 core values we deem necessary for achievement.

These are values like Dedication, Honesty, and Responsibility, and we've created our children's book series Threads & Friends to teach these lessons to young minds right here in our community.

Find out more on our website at the link below, and send us a message if you're looking for ways to support our star students!

09/02/2024

Labor Day is an annual celebration of all the hard work and achievements of American workers. That's you!

Thank you for all the support you provide to this community and Tampa wouldn't be so great without you.

To our doctors, police, firefighters, nurses, teachers, cooks, childcare providers, social workers... You are our daily heroes.

08/28/2024

"Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what. The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home."

We're teaching young minds what makes a great Friendship in Book 8 of Threads & Friends, available at the link below. Thank you for your continuous support!