Thank you to our Donors!

The Children’s Education Center of the Islands has a lot to be thankful for in this new year. The year of 2020 has brought a lot of change, growth, and evolution for this organization. Despite the coronavirus and its repercussions, the Center’s efforts to enhance it’s nature-based educational offerings while supporting the young families within our community are being noticed and, more importantly, are providing necessary support to our community during this challenging time. 

Registration levels are on the rise as are the number of students being assisted from deserving working families. The center is receiving stellar feedback on educational outcomes and its nature-based approach. Their philosophy as a nature preschool is to forge a bond between children and nature, so that they will grow to care and love for it as adults. Now, even more so, CECI’s approach to learning connects children and families to the natural world in ways that are crucial for individual well-being and for the future of our sanctuary island. 

Short of their $50,000 Year End Fundraising Goal, CECI leadership is heartened by the positive outpouring of community support which brought in nearly $20,000 in only one month!     

“We are grateful and wish to extend a public “thank you” to all of our donors. Your contributions- whether it be $25 or $10,000- all greatly impact our children, our families, and the future of our island. We hope that we can count on each of you for your continued support as this unprecedented time continues.” 

“We are especially grateful for the overwhelming generosity of Marty and Brenda Harrity, David and Ellen Raisbeck, and the Merrill Family Charitable Foundation.” 

CECI is also ever-grateful for the continuous support of The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation. The granting of $25,00 for their scholarship program has allowed CECI to grant 25 percent of its students with financial assistance this year. With many of their working families in need of financial assistance; The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation has been crucial in their organization being able to financially assist these families in their time of need.  

While they remain shy of the immediate funding levels required to continue their mission, this strong start kicks off a year of active engagement and fundraising for their organization! To tackle 2021 operational shortfalls and continual repairs for their aging buildings, CECI has a funding goal of $140,000 for 2021 in addition to budgeted tuition. Additionally, CECI is establishing a building fund to aid them in maintaining and improving their historic island facility. And, CECI remains dedicated to raising scholarship funds, in excess of their operational needs, to allow them to teach and connect more young children and families to nature within our community. 

CECI will be debuting new 2021 sponsorship opportunities and a variety of fundraising and community activities, virtual and otherwise, in the coming months. Please reach out to the center director, Kerra Cook, for additional information on how you and your organization can be involved. Please call 239-472-4538 or visit our website at www.childrenseducationcenter.com.