The Jim Dooley Center for Early Learning, located on the campus of Geneva General Hospital, is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of unity scheduled for May 5, as a response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
Children have been impacted by COVID-19; no school, no contact with their friends, no playgrounds.
Kathy Brown Ryrko, Director of the Center says, “When children return to school and back to the Center, they will need plenty of time to socialize with each other. Young children socialize and learn best when they are MOVING! Now more than ever, we need to provide an abundance of high quality outdoor time for children to play together in their own imaginative ways.”
She adds, “This is why we are working harder than ever to build our new playground at the Jim Dooley Center for Early Learning. “
This year, the Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the outdated, original playground equipment needs to be replaced. Fundraising has been ongoing for the past two years to build developmentally appropriate playground spaces for both toddlers and older children. Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, much headway has been made towards realizing the dream of a new playground.
A goal of 55 gifts has been set for the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the New Vision Medical Careers Program. One of the New Vision students’ favorite rotations is at the Center. Laura Van Niel, New Vision Medical Instructor, and her husband, John are parents of a Jim Dooley Center ‘graduate,’ Danika. The couple has extended a matching challenge for the campaign and will donate $5000 if the 55 gift goal is met.
Van Niel explains their motivation for the challenge, “John and I are grateful for the access Geneva General Hospital provides to my students which in turn challenges and enhances my ability to teach. Our desire to give directly to the Child Care Center is because we believe Danika's experiences there provided a foundation that allowed her to excel in public school.”
The community is invited to participate in the campaign to help the Jim Dooley Center unlock the $5000 challenge. There are two ways to make your donation count toward the #GivingTuesdayNow goal:
- Mail a check made out to Finger Lakes Health Foundation to: 196 North St., Geneva, NY 14456 (please indicate in the memo “Jim Dooley Center for Early Learning Playground”)
- Donate online at: https://www.flhealth.org/make-a-donation/make-a-donation-form on/before May 5th and designate to, “Jim Dooley Center for Early Learning Playground”
PHOTO CUTLINE: The Jim Dooley Center for Early Learning is participating in the May 5 #GivingTuesdayNow Campaign to raise funds to build a new playground. The campaign goal is 55 gifts, which will unlock a $5000 challenge donation.