The Mid-Plains United Way Board Members and Executive Director, Jenny Salestrom, presented a $30,000 check this week to help with the replacement of the North Platte Kids Academy roof. The Kids Academy needs a new roof to keep the kids safe and protected. It’s as simple as that and board members are spearheading an effort to raise $60,000 to complete the project.
A fundraiser was recently launched to raise funds to replace the aged roof. The Kids Academy received the news last winter that the roof had to be replaced when a leak was detected in the Head Start room. Weathercraft Roofing Company’s Manager, Joe Staroska, gently broke the news to the Kids Academy director and board members and provided the opportunity to complete the project in phases, allowing time to raise funds for the project.
According to Krystal Claymore, the North Platte Kids Academy Board Chairperson, the Mid-Plains United Way has been a long-time supporter of the Infant’s Room at the Kids Academy. When the unfortunate news was received about the roof, the Kids Academy submitted an appeal to the Mid-Plains United Way board to help with the roof replacement. “The leadership and board of the Kids Academy were initially very discouraged by the news about the roof. It is very hard to provide advanced curriculum based early childhood education services at an affordable cost to parents because of the rising costs of wages. When the United Way board stepped forward with this incredible act of charity, we realized that all things truly are possible with the support of your community. This gesture of support is what gave the Kids Academy board the incentive to embark on their first major fundraising campaign. Vona has always been a talented grant-writer. Local organizations and groups such as the Mid-Plains Community Foundation, Walmart Distribution Center, First National Bank, Pat and Kathleen Keenan, Bob and Margene Phares, the Chamber, Phares Financial Services, Great Plains Health, Nebraskaland Bank and many other individuals have generously supported the Kids Academy over the years, but this campaign is the first major fundraiser we have attempted since the current building was constructed in 2002.”
The fundraising campaign is being called “Raise the Roof.” It kicked off this month with its first donation from the United Way and will culminate in a fundraising dinner hosted at Harbor Lights on Thursday, August 4th at 5:30 pm. Food, beverages, a silent auction, a specialty drink auction and a dessert auction will be the highlights of the event. Tickets are $25 in advance or you can buy them at the door. Please contact the Kids Academy at 308.534.9222 or stop by the office at 1210 Ash Street to purchase your ticket for the event.