Taking a crack at the external window trim.
Lewis-Clark Early Childhood Program’s Fair Street Center is a place where some of our community’s youngest learners get off to the right start in their educations. The Clarkston center hosts one of the agency’s Early Head Start programs, offering early childhood education and resources for families with children up to age 3.
For all the caring and kindness that takes place within it, though, the building itself has often been in need of a little love. Last year a burst pipe wrought havoc on the center, with the resulting flooding putting the center out of commission for weeks. Flooring had to be replaced throughout the building.
And in recent years the facility’s age has started to show: worn-out ceiling tiles, scuffed-up doors, an increasingly rickety playground bench.
But that’s nothing some power tools, fresh hardware and eight volunteers from ATK couldn’t take care of.
On a recent Friday, in coordination with Twin-County United Way’s annual “Day of Caring,” the crew from ATK showed up bright and early, ready to help refurbish the building. With the power tools and materials supplied by the agency, the volunteers broke into teams to tackle a series of mini-projects at the center. Over the course of several hours, the ATK volunteers replaced dozens of ceiling tiles, installed new trim around the center’s doors and windows, and set up a new bench in the outdoor play area.
Not bad for a morning’s work.
Mike Berghammer, area manager with ATK, sits on the Board of Directors at Twin-County United Way, and he helped recruit the volunteers. He spent the morning marching up and down a ladder, replacing ceiling tiles. For someone with experience in local fundraising efforts, the appeal of the “Day of Caring” was the chance to make an immediate impact on a community project.
- Installing some much-needed, new ceiling tile in the classroom.
“I like that you can get in and actually help that day,” Berghammer said. “I’ve done ‘Day of Caring’ probably 10 or 12 times now, and I like that it’s so tangible. You can come and do something in one day and feel like you’re getting something done.”
Jerry Hill, an engineer with ATK, worked a pry bar and nail gun all morning, replacing the trim around the center’s interior doors, and then hanging new doors. For him, the appeal of the Fair Street project was that it was focused on the needs of children on the community, in addition to giving him the chance to do some hands-on work.
“I really like this project because it’s doing something for kids,” Hill said. “This is a way I can donate my time and give back to the community.”
That enthusiasm for community service is reflective of the philanthropic culture at ATK. As Hill noted, “The company really likes to see their employees do stuff like this. ATK donates to a lot of causes here locally, and they try to be very generous.”
That support is deeply appreciated by Lewis-Clark Early Childhood Program. The facility repairs, after all, are about more than just sprucing up an old building. A well-maintained classroom is a critical part of a positive learning environment. The physical spaces in which we teach our students reflect the agency’s broader commitment to the success of each child — safe, modern and comfortable classrooms send a message to parents and to children that each young learner is valued.
A good morning's work -- and much appreciated!
The Fair Street Center staff was also grateful for the attention their facility received. “We sure appreciate it,” teacher Marilyn Wilburn said. “I don’t know if the little kids will appreciate it, but we sure do!”
Lewis-Clark Early Childhood Program has been a long-time participant in Twin-County United Way’s “Day of Caring.” Last year, volunteers from Avista came to the Lewiston Center to paint, clean and landscape around the center.
The agency has a wealth of opportunities for volunteering on an ongoing basis. If you’re interested in helping make a difference in the lives of children, contact us!
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