HOW TO GIVE

Lopez Island is fortunate to have a beautiful new facility with a core of professional, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. Unfortunately, the Lopez Children’s Center (LCC) is under constant fundraising pressure to assure the parents of our preschool children have access to safe, dependable, enriching early childhood experiences and care.

Why does the LCC need money?

1. Trained early childhood teachers are difficult to find on the island. LCC can employ people interested in working in early childhood education and want to help them with classes. We can use money for college class registration and books, mileage and ferry tickets and stipends for time spent at required conferences and workshops.

2. State assistance for childcare costs is inadequate and shrinking. The rate of pay from the state is less than our break-even point.

3. Children needing early interventions are under-funded. These children often require one-to-one supervision and a second teacher needs to be present for each child.

4. This time of year is quite difficult for young families on the island. Part time employment disappears and full-time employment often drops to part time. Income is low. Stress is high. Families can benefit from some respite care—children in a positive social environment, parents with some time to regroup. There are no monies available for this. A half-day of time at LCC costs $20.

Don’t donations have to be large to make a difference?

All donations—whether large or small—make a difference. We encourage everyone to review two good options outlined below.

So, how can you give?

Lopez Children’s Center Endowment Fund

To ensure better long term stability for LCC, we have established a Designated Endowment Fund, and have chosen, as have other organizations on the island, to have our fund administered by the Seattle Foundation. The foundation provides personal consulting for donors, plus a host of other services, at no extra cost. For example, it can:

· match your style by working with you online, over the phone or in person

· Handle all the paperwork

· Assume the fiduciary responsibility and permanent management of gifts

· Create a personal giving plan for you and/or your family

Giving options include cash, personal property, real estate, and bequests such as charitable gift annuities, life income gifts and life insurance policies. Donations can be made directly to the Seattle Foundation for deposit into the Children Center’s endowment account.

You may also contact the Gift Planning Team at the Seattle Foundation at (206) 622-2294 or giftplanning@seattlefoundation.org. The foundation’s web site is www.seattlefoundation.org.

Scholarships

Scholarships, in any amount, can be given for any of the needs listed under the “Why LCC needs money”. Or, your donation can be used as you designate. Help a child, help a teacher, help the center.

For more detailed information, contact:
Jane Hobbs, Lopez Children’s Center,
360-468-3896
or email at
LopezChildren@rockisland.com