Daycare Breaks Ground
"We're teaching academically, spiritually as well. So they're getting something in them that's going to benefit them in the future. And plus it's going to inspire their families because when they see the change in their kids it's going to change them as well," explained John Fonville, CEO Shalom Daycare.
Fonville's sister passed away in 2003 after opening Shalom Christian Academy. Fonville says a daycare was needed to supplement the school. Shalom will use the grant to build a new 2500 square foot daycare just down the street from the existing daycare.
Shalom Daycare has about a dozen children on a waiting list because they simply don't have room in the existing building. The new building will be about three times its current size which will allow Shalom to accept any child that wants to come.
Merissa Taylor, 11, attends Shalom Daycare before and after school and says she's been praying for the money for years.
"I think for the little kids, they have a lot of toys but they need like clean toys cause they're all dirty from being outside. So I think we should get clean toys and then for the bigger ones get computers and trampolines and stuff like that," said Merissa.
Fonville says they hope to begin building in about four months. Shalom Daycare has about 35 kids currently enrolled and will be able to accept about 25 more when the expansion is completed.