Fundraising is one of those regular things we do in North America to help support non-profits and other entities with funds needed to thrive. Kayla Brown of Arcola Daycare Centre pulled off a super cool alternative to a sit-down meal tradition loved by many.
Over the years, the Arcola Daycare has partnered with Creative Tables to raise funds, but that was not possible this year due to COVID. Instead, Brown and her team of parent volunteers set out to hold a drive through a fowl supper. It was a hit, raising $3,429.70 for the daycare.
Vehicles lined up outside Arcola’s Prairie Place Hall to pick up their take-out portions of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, coleslaw and desserts. Drivers of vehicles were picking up supper for families all the way from Kisbey to Manor. Carli Pasichnuk also stood outside Fireside Furniture to enable local Carlyle residents to pick up their meals there.
The goal of any non-profit daycare is to break even but the funds from the government and from parent fees only cover so much. In Arcola, that income is earmarked for the mortgage, wages, food, phone, heat, lights and water. The fundraisers they do are specifically for the renos and maintenance that are required for the facility to be safe and feel like home for the children. Brown explained that when the yearly inspection flags anything that may become unsafe, it needs to get dealt with.
“At this moment, all 29 of our spots for children are full,” Brown said. With five full-time and five part-time staff, this daycare runs the schedule so that there is room for casual care children on the mornings, afternoons or full days they have open.
“I am so thankful to all who helped out for this event. We have been lucky to have community members and businesses from Manor, Carlyle, Pheasant Rump and Kisbey help us in many ways over the years,” Brown explained. “We were not allowed to accept donations the way we normally would for a fundraiser so the bakery in Carlyle was the only one to donate. They provided all the buns for every meal.”
She was very grateful for the daycare family volunteers who helped make the Fowl Supper a success.
Check them out on Facebook at Arcola Daycare Inc. where you can see their activities and know how you can offer support.
