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We hope that you are in a healthy place and that spring delivers a sense of renewal after a difficult year. With the vaccine process underway, we can finally look forward to a brighter future for our families.
Our annual celebration of campus child care, Jazzin’, would have taken place this month. Jazzin’ is our major fundraiser whose proceeds assist our campus child care centers with critical operational costs. We’re not able to hold the live event again this year. In its place, we are kicking off a special fundraising initiative in observance of the Week of the Young Child® (April 10-16). The purpose of this week is to focus the public spotlight on the needs of young children and to recognize the early childhood programs and dedicated early educators who work tirelessly to address those needs.
Over the past year, our campus centers have gone above and beyond to serve our youngest and their families. Still, it has been a balancing act with growing budget deficits, especially payroll shortages. In the words of one campus child care director, “COVID has taken its toll and stretched all of us thin.”
How can you help? We are asking that you consider making a gift to one of these two funds: New Campus Child Care Initiatives fund and Office of Child Care and Family Resources fund.
· A gift to the Office of Child Care and Family Resources COVID-19 relief fund will help to offset thousands of dollars lost during pandemic closures, most importantly, teacher salaries and administrative overhead. Here is the electronic link: https://www.supportuw.org/giveto/OCCFRfund
· A gift to the New Campus Child Care Initiatives fund will boost our efforts to expand child care center capacity as it remains the area of greatest need on campus. Jazzin’ income has always been deposited into this fund. If you’ve supported this event in the past, we would appreciate your continued commitment. Here is the electronic link: supportuw.org/giveto/childcare
As always, we remain deeply grateful for your consideration. Our centers need you now more than ever.
Warm regards,
Cigdem Unal (OCCFR Director) & Teri Stratton (Development)
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