The kitchen set at the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center’s kindergarten latchkey/ school-age site was donated when one family’s children outgrew it.

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

The kitchen set at the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center’s kindergarten latchkey/ school-age site was donated when one family’s children outgrew it. Over the years, it has been sanded, repaired and repainted repeatedly.

Executive Director Kristin Houg estimates that some of the cubbies, where children hang their coats and book bags, have several coats of paint on them. &uot;Every once in a while, we have to put a nail in them. When they’re beyond the cubby point, we turn them on their sides and use them for shelves,&uot; she said.

The computers have been donated as well, but since they’re older and don’t have CD-ROM drives, it’s impossible to find software for them.

The ideal time to replace these and other outdated items will be when the program moves into its new addition at the center’s main site this summer, Houg said. While the child care center has financing for the construction project (which began in February) through USDA Rural Development and Wells Fargo Bank, as well as an under-cost bid from Larson Contracting, it has kicked off a campaign to &uot;finish or furnish&uot; the addition.

Officially, the campaign kicked off with the Albert Lea Community Theatre production of &uot;Miss Nelson Is Missing.&uot; Proceeds from opening night ticket sales will be donated to the center. In addition, the Kenneth W. Olson Foundation donated $25,000 to the campaign with a challenge for the community to match the donation.

Letters asking for support are being sent out to businesses, organizations and service clubs in the community. In addition, a fund-raising committee is planning events for families, children, employees and community members throughout the summer.

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to the child-care center at 605 James Ave. They should be earmarked &uot;addition equipment fund.&uot;

By adding on to the main site, Houg said the program will run more efficiently and will increase the number of children which can be served. &uot;There will be no more fixed costs for running a separate site,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s one-stop shopping and provides some continuity for parents. We have a number of families who are in that position.&uot;