Home State Bank of Jefferson, a leading supporter of the Greene County Early Learning Center’s new building fundraising campaign, has committed $100,000 to the effort to expand the availability of childcare to serve families in the Greene county area.
“Greene County Early Learning Center’s (GCELC) new building is crucial to economic development and the growth of our community. As we look to attract more young families to Jefferson, it is imperative that we have quality early childhood development options,” said Sid Jones, president and CEO of Home State Bank in Jefferson.
“The board of Home State Bank, for well over 30 years, dating back to when Mary Garst was an active board member, has avidly supported childcare facilities in our community,” Jones said. “Garst wanted to ensure that her employees had access to quality options for the care of their children, allowing them to work outside the home, with peace of mind.“
“Getting children off to a great start is so important for their brain development and success in life. We are grateful that Home State has chosen, with its $100,000 “Children’s Hero” gift, to sponsor the center’s two infant rooms which will be licensed for up to 16 babies,” said fundraising co-chair Bill Monroe. A non-profit center, GCELC accepts children from two weeks of age to 12 years.
Also at the “Children’s Hero” level of support, the McLaughlin Family Companies of Scranton will sponsor the center’s playground. Major commitments have been received from other entities including Greene County board of supervisors, Grow Greene County and state of Iowa grants along with generous individual donations to the center’s construction account with nearly $1.6 million already raised of the $2.1 million goal.
The Greene County Early Learning Center’s “Growth Happens Here” steering committee members are now also contacting more businesses and individual donors who would like to be part of the project. “It is so important to have support from throughout Greene County as the GCELC serves families from the entire area. The presence of the expanded center will benefit economic development for the whole county,” said Monroe.
Persons who want more information about the “Growth Happens Here” fundraising drive can contact the center’s steering committee, email growthhappenshere@gmail.com or call the center at 515-386-2092.
