Last Updated on October 3, 2024 12:20 pm
BOONE, NC – In response to the community-wide devastation felt from the effects of Hurricane Helene, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Commission, Inc Foundation (Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation) has been soliciting funds for business community stabilization and community support.
Today, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board of Directors agreed to allocate $125,000 toward the cost of tuition payments for the month of October at licensed early childhood development centers throughout Watauga County. These funds will be allocated to The Children’s Council of Watauga County and distributed to the licensed facilities and licensed in-home facilities.
“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,” said David Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Children’s Council of Watauga County will work directly with the centers on getting cash in their accounts by early next week, because we know time is of the essence in keeping these businesses open. As more of our community is able to return to work, these centers are going to be part of that critical infrastructure that allows that to happen.”
“You have saved lives with this donation,” said Elisha Childers, Executive Director of The Children’s Council of Watauga County. “You have made it possible for our child care centers, who are small business owners, to pay their staff and to survive while their centers cannot be open and fully operational. For the small family childcare home provider, this is their livelihood. These are businesses that were already struggling to survive. Providers have been so worried, not only for themselves, but for their workers. I do have words to fully describe this truly means to this community. Thank you to all who have contributed and made this possible. It is overwhelming generosity.”
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce foundation continues to solicit donations for additional support for the business community and will work in the coming days to identify additional funding disbursements as money allows. Donations can be made atwww.boonechamber.com/foundation or by calling 828-264-2225.
