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A donation Friday from the WOVV Run Fest Weekend will allow Ocracoke Child Care to pay of its building mortgage.
Greg Honeycutt, chairman of the WOVV race committee which produces the annual 5K/10K/half-marathon race on the island, presented a check for $9,340 to OCC Director DeAnna Locke.
“Without the burden of making that monthly payment, we will be able to focus on maintenance and implementing future activities at the center,” Locke said in a statement.
After an unsuccessful year-long search to find teachers to staff the five-star licensed infant and pre-K service, the board in May made the decision to close the day care service.
“Since that time, we’ve been working hard to move forward in hopes of being able to reopen in the future,” Locke said. “We hope to again provide relevant programming for children on the island.”
The board is also working to preserve and maintain the infrastructure of the building and playground, she said.
The Child Care center is one of four beneficiaries of the annual road race, which this year was held April 29 and 30.
Sponsorships and entry fees yield about $40,000, which is then divided among four island nonprofits: Ocracoke’s Community Radio 90.1 FM, the Ocracoke School Booster Club, the Ocracoke Youth Center toward Community Park ball field expenses, and the Child Care center, which became a race-proceeds recipient last year when the race added a half-marathon to become a two-day event.
“The Ocracoke race committee is very proud to be able to provide this money to pay off the Ocracoke Child Care building,” Honeycutt said.
Also present to receive the gift were Mandi Cochran, chair of the OCC board, Tyke Ely, vice-chair, and Leslie Monticone, secretary. Other board members are Robert Kremser, treasurer, Mary Bryant, Doreen Gaskill, Krystine Hadley and Claire Senseney.
To read the story about the OCC closing, click here.
This is GREAT news! Yippie!!! The daycare will sail agan! Thank you, Greg, and all who helped. Early childhood education is one of the most important things you can give a child, and this a wonderful gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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