Opinion: Kaleidoscope's Building for Families Expansion

By Tamara Joyner

Last year, 35 babies were born into our Orcas Island community. That number represents close to half of the 2008 births in San Juan County, and indicates the continued demand on early childhood programs for the foreseeable future.

Kaleidoscope provides a high quality Preschool and Childcare environment serving many of our hard working families who are the backbone of our community. These young parents are providing the essential labor and services that are the heartbeat of our “island way” of life.  They rely on Kaleidoscope’s doors being open to their children to learn and play as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late as 6:00 p.m., each weekday, year round.

Currently, Kaleidoscope has a growing waiting list for the fall.  As Kaleidoscope strives to meet the needs of young working families, expansion of the center for more classroom space is needed.

Since January of 2008, resources and in kind donations amounting to $160,000 have been pledged to this “Building for Families” project.   Labor and materials from site prep to countertops, are being donated by many generous individuals, businesses and organizations. These commitments add up to 2/3 of the total costs to finish the building. The project’s completion now depends on purchasing doors, windows, hardware, plumbing and electrical fixtures, appliances and countertops, as well as dollars for dump fees and insurance.

There are many ways to help Kaleidoscope complete the Building for Families project. This Saturday, June 20, during Island Hardware and Supply’s annual anniversary sale, you can drop by Kaleidoscope’s table, enjoy a free snow cone, and purchase a doorknob, a window, an appliance, and make a cash donation to help out. Financial contributions can also be made directly to Kaleidoscope and the Kaleidoscope Building account at Islander’s Bank.  If you would like more information, please contact a Board Member at kaleidoscope@centurytal.net.

A gift donation to Kaleidoscope is a way of supporting all of us, and much of what we value about our island community.

Tamara Joyner is on the Kaleidoscope Board of Directors