Noah’s Ark Daycare Needs Your Help

by Mari Radtke
Noah’s Ark Daycare Center opened its operations in its downtown in 2012. Noah’s Ark purchased their new facility across the street at 121 W 2nd Street in 2022 and moved into it in December 2023. A lot of fundraising went on for a period of time in order for the daycare to purchase the building that was the Masonic Temple. The purchase was made and remodeling to meet state requirements for a licensed daycare began. In the meantime, an empty, adjacent lot next to it and owned by the City of Sutherland was acquired to accommodate a place for outdoor activity.
The opening was delayed. The remodeling to get proper rooms for the different age groups went without a hitch. But state inspectors demanded more. A commercial kitchen hood and oven with fire suppression was required. Because of the size of the building and the capacity for occupants that allowed, a pull-style fire alarm was also required. Those two projects were very expensive and unplanned costs.
The daycare board of directors were able to secure financing to pay for the projects and roll that all into a single loan with the remodeling costs. That loan reached $220,000.
Current board president Dani Rehder gave an overview of the upcoming fundraising activities of the daycare, starting with the election day hot chocolate and cider. She wants every voter in the Sutherland precinct to know the daycare staff, and maybe a few of those future voters who spend their days at Noah’s Ark, will be serving hot chocolate and homemade goodies. A free will donation is very appreciated to help the daycare pay down on that tremendous obligation. She also wants the public to know that the Church of Christ does not support the daycare. Noah’s Ark is its own entity, legally incorporated in the State of Iowa as a not-for-profit entity.
To keep up with the overhead costs of the daycare, a rate increase has already been imposed on the families utilizing the center’s services. The current board of directors is keenly aware that the charges are pretty well at the top of affordability. Beyond the loan payment each month, qualified staff costs have increased right along with insurance, utilities and food.
Dani also explained that there is lots of space to add more kids to bring in more revenue. But that adds to the payroll expense. Pay ranges from $10 to $15 per hour, depending on qualifications. The find themselves in a viscious circle. An additional child could require the center to bring in another staff person, potentially putting a daycare room under the break even point. Rehder also notes that eliminating the loan payment would free up funds to bring in the necessary qualified staff. Plans for fundraising efforts to pay that loan is the strategy being undertaken. The daycare center is also open to volunteers to assist with the care of the kids.
Donations for groceries offsetting the cost of meals for the kids is a regular gift to the daycare center. Rehder expressed her gratitude for the generosity.
Other fundraisers in addition to the Election Day treats is “Bushels for Babies.” For producers wanting a tax write off, this is a great program. Any number of bushels can be deposited at local elevators in the name of the daycare. That kind of donation could be game-changing for the daycare if farmers in the area are willing to support it. A mailer campaign is in its beginning stages to reach all residents in the area. A soup supper during Hometown Christmas has historically been a good source of funds for the daycare. Outreach to grant sources is also in the plans.
Plan to vote Tuesday November 5th at the Johannsen Center. Plan to enjoy a cup of cider or hot chocolate while your there. Be generous with a free will donation to help the daycare be able to care for more kids. The goal is $220,000. Hot chocolate one afternoon won’t get over the finish line, but it will move the daycare closer.