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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation allocates $125,000 to early childhood centers in Watauga

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The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (BACCF) board of directors agreed last week to allocate $125,000 toward tuition payments for licensed early childhood development centers in Watauga County. The funds are for the month of October.

In a press release, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) President/CEO David Jackson said, “Our foundation board felt this was a direct way to ensure stability in the critical early childhood industry, while also freeing up cash for families to cover other storm-related expenses at this time.”

The BACCF has been soliciting donations to go toward business community stabilization and support in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The funds from this first allocation will be distributed through the Children’s Council of Watauga County (CCWC).

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In the press release, Elisha Childers, executive director of the CCWC, said the foundation has saved lives with this donation by allowing child care centers to continue to pay staff while centers are not operational.

“These are businesses that were already struggling to survive. Providers have been so worried, not only for themselves, but for their workers,” Childers said. “I do not have words to fully describe what this truly means to this community. Thank you to all who have contributed and made this possible. It is overwhelming generosity.”

As schools remain closed and parents return to work, child care will be important. On the radio station WATA, Childers said, “We know of at least three child care centers that have flooded, and we’ve been digging them out so they can get back online and in operation soon.”