We all know the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child.” On behalf of the children, that village needs your help.
Tinker Tots Preschool is the only licensed childcare center in Bedford, Iowa. We were established in March 2000 in a 1970s modular home that is beginning to experience severe structural difficulties. Our facility is licensed for 55 children; however, we are currently at maximum capacity, and the space we have is proving to be not enough.
Young families are wanting to remain in, return to, or join Bedford for its housing and great school district; yet it is hard to do so with no available childcare. The center itself is too small and structurally unsound to support the urgent need for expanding childcare in the area. Tinker Tots waiting list is at 10, as of now, and continues to steadily rise as the in-home providers are retiring rapidly. If a new facility is not built, families will have to travel outside of town for childcare, as Tinker Tots will risk being shut down due to structural issues.
Tinker Tots Board of Directors have acquired land at the Industrial Park on the western edge of Bedford and are working with an architect and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to begin the process of building a center licensed for 80 children. This new facility is projected to cost $1,225,000 due to specific guidelines required by our licensing agency, the Iowa Department of Human Services. We are currently finishing work to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through HUD that will provide $500,000 in financial assistance. We have obtained approximately $200,000 through fundraisers and donations from local citizens and businesses. We need to secure an additional $400,000 before April 1, 2019 to be eligible to apply for the CDBG.
We are asking for support and seeking donations from public entities, local business owners, community members, and alumni to make this project happen. Tinker Tots is a non-profit organization; therefore, your donation will be tax deductible. Any amount of support, and each donation given, will be greatly appreciated and put us closer to our goal. We can assure you that every cent we receive will be used effectively and efficiently and more importantly, every child enrolled in our program will be able to learn, grow and prosper.
