By MICHELE MILLER HOUCK
DavidsonNews.net
Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center, which has been facing a financial crisis in recent weeks, has raised enough short-term funding to stay open for now. Board member Eileen Keeley said the center is halfway to a $64,000 goal, and was able to meet payroll and continue operating past its original fund-raising deadline of Friday, Sept. 11.
“Although we have not yet reached $64,000 in commitments, we have received enough pledges (over $32,000 at last count) and enough gifts in the door to forge ahead,” Ms. Keeley said. “We are extending our efforts to give our Day Care Heroes Teams time to reach everyone on their lists and to get the word out to a broader audience.”
Individuals have pledged more than $8,000 to the cause, and the Day Care Heroes Teams have pledged almost $12,500. Five churches have raised almost $12,000.
And there have been noteworthy individual efforts as well: Eight-year-old Davidson resident Ian Wessner delivered $101 in change he collected in his neighborhood.
ENROLLMENT BOOST, FUND-RAISING EFFORTS
Meanwhile, others have come up with ideas to increase revenues at the center, in lieu of donations. Ken and Karin Menkhaus sent out a letter Sunday night to friends and colleagues that outlined a plan to fill slots with part-time preschoolers.
“My wife Karin was talking with one of her friends who expressed an interest in enrolling her son part-time instead of giving a donation,” said Dr. Menkhaus, a professor at Davidson College. “This started us thinking that this may be a sustainable revenue flow until the full-time spots are filled. This offering may also end up generating business model ideas for the center as it retools.”
The plan has already gotten some interest from the first round of emails, he said.
In another fund-raising effort, newly renamed downtown gallery “Sanctuary at Davidson” on Main Street will hold a silent auction fundraiser for the daycare center on Oct. 8 during their grand re-opening. Owner Kristen Feighery says that many local artists have donated art, jewelry and pottery to be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the day care.
“The community is responding,” Ms. Keely said. “It has been heartening to see it happening.”
LINKS
You can track the progress of the center’s fund-raising efforts on the web, at http://www.ecrsa.org/davidsondaycare/.
Download a copy of the Menkhaus letter about the part-time day care proposal. (PDF)
Read previous coverage of the Davidson-Cornelius Day Care financial situation at tag “Davidson-Cornelius Day Care”
Ms. Keeley reports that fundraising from area churches has reached almost $25,000. Davidson College Presbyterian Church has pledged another $8,000, and St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Huntersville (name corrected) pledged $2,500 adding to the total. Previously, DCPC had given $3,750, St. Alban’s Episcopal $4,000, Grace Covenant Church $2,500 and Mt. Zion Methodist $1,600.
Also this week, Laurie Dennis reported on the fundraising effort at Children’s Community School that netted $600 for the day care.
It’s St. Marks Catholic Church in Huntersville — thank you to our area churches for generously supporting this wonderful community day care. And thank you Michele for the update!