The Arcola Day Care has been running since 2008 with Kayla Brown as director for the past six years.
鈥淟icensed are 29 full-time children, however we have about 20 casual children that fill in when full times are away,鈥� states Brown.
The day care not only serves the community of Arcola, but also the surrounding communities including Carlyle, Kisbey, Forget, Pheasant Rump, White Bear and Manor.
Like any other small town operation, groups such as this are always looking for ways to fundraise to keep it going.
鈥淥ur families are required to take part in four mandatory fundraisers per year,鈥� explains Kyla Vanderhulst, volunteer board member of Arcola Day Care.
鈥淭ypically we have a ladies鈥� night fundraiser in March but obviously due to COVID we are unable to do that this year,鈥� explains Vanderhulst.
That particular fundraiser is not only a big hit with the attendees but usually a huge money maker for the centre.
鈥淲e were just looking for ways to find something new and something fresh,鈥� says Vanderhulst. 鈥淲e were trying to look for something that would bring tangible goods to people rather than just buying tickets and hoping to win something.鈥�
鈥淲e decided to go ahead with a barbecue beef box fundraiser in hopes of mitigating the costs that we鈥檙e losing from ladies鈥� night,鈥� she said.
The day care thought it would be great to team up with someone local so decided to work in collaboration with Right Cross Ranch.
The funds raised will be put towards betterment of the facility. In the past few years, the day care has had the inside redone, purchased new appliances, and the siding and deck were the latest projects that they put money towards.
Vanderhulst goes on to explain:
鈥淩ight now, we鈥檙e saving up to do another big purchase 鈥� we鈥檙e wanting to build an addition on to the building mainly for making our dining room larger, adding a staff room and also an additional play room in hopes to get licensed for more spaces when complete.鈥�
鈥淲e also try to focus on our staff 鈥� they are really important to us.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to have staff stay year after year and get to know the kids.鈥�
鈥淎nother goal is to do an infant and toddler specific zone in the back yard.鈥�
The day care doesn鈥檛 put their fundraiser profits towards day-to-day operation costs but they do fundraise to keep the operational costs lower. For instance the money is put towards repairs and maintenance that needs to be done on the building including electrical, plumbing and mechanical. And it also keeps the childcare fees as low as possible.
Sarah and Jim Anderson of Right Cross Ranch, who are celebrating the ranch鈥檚 10th anniversary in 2021, are super excited about partnering with the Arcola Day Care for their fundraiser.
鈥淚 think this is just awesome,鈥� explains Sarah. 鈥淚t's great to have our locally raised ranch beef into the hands of people in the urban centres.鈥�
She reassures buyers that the quality is number one. She's sure that people will enjoy the flavors.
鈥淢y husband and I purchased extra freezers so we're all stocked up and ready for the sales,鈥� says an optimistic Sarah. 鈥淎s soon as the boxes run out we know that the phone will be ringing.鈥�
During COVID people are looking to support locally and one way is to purchase home grown beef.
鈥淚 want people to open their box and say 'Oh my gosh this is amazing',鈥� said Sarah. 鈥淭hat first experience has to be really good.鈥�
In just over a week, the Day Care has already sold approximately 100 boxes of the maximum 300 up for grabs. For their $220, they receive a 20-pound box variety pack consisting of pre-made patties, top end steak, roast and loose hamburger. There's also the option to have gluten free.
"I'm pumped for people to try our home grown ranch beef,鈥� said Sarah.
鈥淚'm so blown away by the local sponsorship as well,鈥� Sarah went on to say. 鈥淭hanks to Fireside Furniture & Appliances, TJ鈥檚 Welding, Arcola Food, Back Country Electric Ltd., Regal Autobody, Gunner鈥檚 Plumbing & Heating and Glasser鈥檚 TV Service.鈥�
Every person who purchases a box of beef gets their name entered to win a number of prizes, totalling $3,000, one of the prizes being a standup freezer.
So you're not only supporting the Arcola Day Care, you're getting a box of beef and your name is entered to win one of seven different prizes.
Order yours before May 19 by calling Kayla at 306-455-2186.
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