The economy’s struggles have trickled down to even our most precious and helpless, our children. The Radford Child Care Center is holding out its hand to the community, pleading for immediate help. If the center does not get about $10,000 in donations to pay off bills it will have to close by Friday, Oct. 31, leaving many without a place to send their kids to daycare.

The daycare is in so much debt mainly due to the decrease in enrollment and previous unpaid tuitions. Last year about 110 children were enrolled and now a mere 70 children are still attending the daycare. And with the economy’s downfall, many families have experienced layoffs and pay cuts, which has left them unable to pay for daycare.

Radford Child Care Center began in 1956 as Kiddie Korner Kollege, a nonprofit nursery school for more than 50 children. The Center is non-profit and governed by a Board of Directors.  It is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Dept. of Social Services, for ages 2-12 years.

The center is bringing in more money than it is spending, but there are many previous bills to pay on top of current ones. To help fix this crisis, the center is not only calling on the community for action but has also asked Kristi Snyder, administrator of Rainbow Riders Childcare Center in Blacksburg, to help design a plan to fix the center’s problems.

One priority that Snyder sees is increasing marketing efforts for the daycare. First off, there is no sign on the solitary fenced in building, which makes it difficult to pinpoint as it is tucked beside McHarg Elementary School on 13th Street. If enrollment increased drastically that just might turn around the center’s future.

If you would like to help one of the pillars and the children of your community contact Kara Hayes or Selena Cox at 540.633.5227.