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Fall Edition 2014
Upcoming Benefit Auction
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Mark Your
Calendar...
“White Elephant” Sale and
Silent Auction begin at 9 a.m.
Live Auction begins at 10 a.m.
“Picnic in the Park”
Volunteer
Recognition Event
To honor those who have
volunteered and assisted at our
offices, during the Designers’
Showhouse, and with other agency
events in the past year, we invite you
to a celebration! Join us at the 2014
Volunteer Recognition Event!
Benefitn
Auctio
Kansas Expocentre’s Ag Hall
One Expocentre Drive
Topeka, KS 66612
-AuctioneerDan Kooser, Kooser Auction Service
Voted Best Auctioneer for 2013 and 2014 by
Topeka Capital Journal’s Best of Topeka and
Northeast Kansas contest!
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014
Dinner at 6 p.m.
Big Gage Shelter House
635 SW Gage Boulevard
Topeka, KS 66606
Free
admission!
Food/Concessions Available
Please RSVP to 785-440-4519
by Oct. 20, 2014.
2015 Designers’
Showhouse
100s of new and used auction items that include holiday décor, jewelry,
3130 SW Shadow Lane
Topeka, Kansas 66604
furniture, lamps, mirrors, KU and KSU items, household items,
family-friendly outings, restaurant certificates, golf outings,
themed baskets and much more! “Cash and Carry” items available!
Bare Bones Preview
Jan. 15 - 18, 2015
Showhouse Patron Party
Friday, Apr. 24, 2015
For more information or to view an up-to-date auction item list
and list of auction donors, visit http://east.ks.childcareaware.org.
Showhouse Open for Public Tours
Apr. 25 - May 17, 2015
All proceeds benefit ERC Resource & Referral, Inc.,
doing business as Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas.
®
ERC Resource & Referral, Inc., d/b/a Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas
Lawrence Satellite Office
2706 Iowa St., Ste. C, Lawrence, KS 66046
Corporate Office
1100 SW Wanamaker Rd., Ste. 101, Topeka, KS 66604
785-357-5171 in Topeka l 1-877-678-2548 Toll Free l 785-357-1813 Fax
http://east.ks.childcareaware.org l info@east.ks.childcareaware.org
Pittsburg Satellite Office
105 W 3rd St., Pittsburg, KS 66762
Board &
Staff...
Board of Directors
Officers
Jeanie Schuler, President
Morgan Padgett, President-Elect
Melinda Clemens, Secretary
Eric Patterson, Treasurer
Beth Nelson, Treasurer-Elect
Sarah Breymeyer, Immediate Past President
Members
Ashley All
Jared Bixby
Liz Blakely
Kellie Dougan
Jacque Hill-Barton
Cora Spencer
Amy Strathman
Melissa Wangemann
Coleen Wenger
Staff Members
Reva Wywadis, Executive Director
Becky Meyer, Accountant
Eryn Allen, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Laurie Pigg, Director of Referral Services
Jill Boyer, Susan Hoge, Billie Segrist,
Debi Stiles, Referral Counselors
Debra McClelland, Referral Counselor/
Research & Data Specialist
Sadie Villicaña, Receptionist/
Administrative Assistant
Marie Treichel, Renee Wohletz,
Provider Services Managers
Vanessa Apodaca, Ann Beedles,
Audrey Danielson, Deb Danielson,
Michelle Gilbert, Margaret Hurst,
Elisa Kramer, Talia Juiliano, Jennifer Pishny,
Tanisha Troutt, Deana Turner, Lisa Wilk,
Early Care & Education Specialists
Nancy Rohr, Inclusion & Transition Specialist
Star Robinson, KQRIS Coach
Eleanor Strecker, Early Literacy Specialist
Stephanie Prue, Lee Schlife, Dorothy Smith,
Library Resource Specialists
Director’s Message
As always, the agency is a busy place as we transition from summer to fall. First,
a celebration! Thanks to the support from donors and friends, we raised over
$15,000 to match the funding from the Capitol Federal Foundation for a much
needed upgrade in technology. This will enable us to better serve our clients as we
work more effectively and efficiently. We are so grateful to all who supported this
effort.
In order to continue the many programs and services we offer to families with
young children, additional funding is needed. Things are now in “high gear” as we
prepare for our new Benefit Auction. Plan to join us on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at
the Kansas Expocentre’s Ag Hall for a few hours of fun and fundraising! Doors will
open at 9 a.m., providing a chance to purchase “white elephant” items and bid
on silent auction items. The live auction begins at 10 a.m., with the Topeka
Capital Journal’s Best of Topeka’s Best Auctioneer, Dan Kooser, serving as our
auctioneer. Concessions will be available, and the festivities will conclude by
1 p.m. Auction items and white elephant items are still coming in (call us at
785-440-4519 if you have items to donate), but you can visit our website at
http://east.ks.childcareaware.org for the most up-to-date list.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, is the “Picnic in the Park” Volunteer Recognition Event at
the Big Gage Shelter House in Topeka. We will be thanking and honoring those who
assisted the agency as volunteers in 2014. RSVP’s are needed, so call 785-440-4519
if you plan to attend. RSVP deadline is Monday, Oct. 20, 2014.
The 2015 Designers’ Showhouse, located at 3130 SW Shadow Lane in Topeka’s
historic Westboro area, is already getting underway! Volunteer committees are
forming, so call 785-440-4507 if you would like to get involved. This is an exciting
partnership with Washburn University, and we look forward to new events and
record crowds as we share our mission with the community.
As you know, Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas assists working parents by
helping them locate and choose child care that supports their child’s growth and
development. We also offer positive support and critically needed services to the
child care programs throughout our service delivery area, helping them improve
the quality of the care they provide. Because of the support of our donors, partners
and friends, our efforts continue to make a lasting difference for others and we are
so very grateful. Thank you for your support!
Until next time…
Volunteers from Hill’s Pet Nutrition
on the United Way Nancy Perry Day
of Caring, Sept. 12, 2014.
2014 Kansas Reads to
Preschoolers Week
Reading to young children is incredibly important, and
the annual Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Week focuses
on just that! The 2014 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers week
is Nov. 16 through 22. This special week is a project of
the Kansas State Library in partnership with Child Care Aware® of Kansas. Reading
to children helps to develop vocabulary, phonological awareness skills, attention
span, print awareness and is just plain fun!
This year’s featured book, Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas, is a great story
about three cows who jump, dance and wiggle their way to fun on Chicken’s sofa.
The Topeka office will celebrate the week by partnering with the Topeka & Shawnee
County Public Library for special story times on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. and
again on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. The story time will include stories, songs
and activity stations based on the book. To register for a story time, please call
Youth Services with the library at 785-580-4565.
The Emporia Public Library, Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas, and other Lyon
County Family Resource Council members will be hosting “Up, Down and Around”
on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. This event will be held at the
Emporia Recreation Center (313 W 4th Avenue, Emporia) and includes a story time,
snacks and an obstacle course for children 18 months to 5 years.
Although the official week is Nov. 16 through 22, 2014, participation is
encouraged throughout the entire month of November. Check with your
local public library for activities they are planning for the week. Visit
https://kslib.info/1017/Kansas-Reads-to-Preschoolers for more events in
your area and activity ideas surrounding this year’s book selection.
Success Story...
Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas helps families with young children every day.
Jené Haas recently contacted the agency to share her story about the many ways
the agency has supported her and her children over the past few years.
Parent
Events...
The Child Care Aware® of Eastern
Kansas Parenting Class Calendar
displays multiple parenting classes
and events. The calendar is located
on our agency’s website at
http://east.ks.childcareaware.org/
pages/familypgs/calendar.html.
Two of the most popular events
that we partner in are Sing, Move
& Learn and Rock, Rhyme & Read.
Both events combine music, books,
movement and family fun for an
event to remember! See below for
more information.
Sing, Move & Learn
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014
Both Sing, Move & Learn dates
above are 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at the
Topeka & Shawnee County Public
Library (1515 SW 10th Avenue,
Topeka). To register, call
785-440-4524 or email
michelle@east.ks.childcareaware.org.
This event is sponsored by Child
Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas, the
Topeka & Shawnee County Public
Library, and Capital Area Successful
Start.
“I used your referral services to find child care, most recently to find an after
school program for Mason, my 5 year old,” Jené said. “We have also really enjoyed
attending the Sing, Move & Learn programs offered in partnership with the [Topeka
& Shawnee County Public] Library. Michelle knows my children well!”
Rock, Rhyme & Read
Jené went on to share that her younger child, 16-month-old Parker, recently went
through a biting phase. She encouraged her child care provider to reach out to
Child Care Aware® for ideas on how to handle this difficult situation. “Audrey visits
Parker’s classroom on a regular basis and brought the teacher a tote from the
Lending Library on biting that had both ideas for the teacher, and activities for the
kids. You offer such wonderful services. Thank you so much for being available.”
Both Rock, Rhyme & Read dates
above are 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at
the Lawrence Public Library (707
Vermont Street, Lawrence). To
register, call 785-865-0669 or email
marie@east.ks.childcareaware.org.
This event is sponsored by Child
Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas, the
Lawrence Public Library, Sunflower
Music Therapy, Douglas County
Block Grant, and United Way of
Douglas County.
Jené took advantage of an opportunity to support Child Care Aware® of Eastern
Kansas when her employer, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, allowed their employees the
opportunity to volunteer in the community through the United Way Nancy Perry
Day of Caring. Jené and five coworkers from Hill’s spent several hours assembling
parent packets, inventorying and relabeling library totes, and moving items in a
storage unit. Volunteer hours like this help the agency maximize available resources
and improve services. Thank you, Jené, for sharing your story and taking time to
support the mission of Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas!
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014
• Approval of 2013 Annual Meeting Minutes
• Treasurer’s Report
• Election of Officers, Board Members &
Nominating Committee
• President’s Remarks
• Transfer of Gavel
Anyone who supported the agency financially in 2014 is
invited to attend and vote.
• The Benefit Auction on Oct. 18, 2014,
has volunteer positions that include
assisting with the silent and live
auctions, in the concessions, or with
the white elephant sale.
• The 2015 Designers’ Showhouse is
already well under way and in need
of individuals to offer their time to
act as docents (telling people about
a room in the home by following a
provided script), greeters and cashiers.
Leadership positions are also available.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact Reva at
785-440-4507 or reva@east.ks.childcareaware.org.
ERC Resource & Referral, INC.
Agenda
• Our Topeka office needs a volunteer
to staff our reception desk and
assist with a variety of general
office tasks on Tuesday mornings.
d/b/a
Topeka Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas Office
1100 SW Wanamaker Road, Suite 101
Topeka, Kansas 66604
Can you help?
.
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, 11 a.m.
Calling Volunteers...
1100 SW Wanamaker Road, Suite 101, Topeka, KS 66604
785-357-5171 or 877-678-2548 http://east.ks.childcareaware.org
Notice of Annual
Business Meeting