Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado announced that Week of the Young Child – designated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children – will be observed Monday through Friday, in appreciation of early learning, young children, teachers and families.
To celebrate, La Plata Family Centers Coalition will hold a gardening day for children and their parents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Giving Garden at First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive. Participants will prepare garden beds for the season and plant cold-weather crops.
“Early-childhood health and wellness are important issues in Southwest Colorado,” Briggen Wrinkle, Community Foundation executive director, said in a news release. “Parents often struggle to find child care that is both affordable and high quality. This issue affects the community because our workforce loses talent and, sometimes, people relocate to find more affordable options.”
The event will give children a fun, playful opportunity to explore nature and learn about healthy foods, while nurturing social and emotional awareness. Free hearing and vision screenings for children will also be offered during the event, and families will receive goody bags and gardening schedules for the season.
The Community Foundation also reminds residents that, on April 25, Jenna Bush Hager will visit Fort Lewis College for a Making a Difference speaker series event.
“Our Making a Difference speaker series is designed to spark great conversations but, more importantly, we hope to prompt philanthropic action to improve the lives of residents in Southwest Colorado,” Kathleen Adams, Community Foundation board president, said in a news release.
Bush Hager will speak at 6:30 p.m. April 25 at the college’s Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
“The well-being of our next generation is a significant concern. That’s why the Community Foundation is bringing Jenna Bush Hager to the Community Concert Hall on April 25,” Wrinkle said. “She will speak about the vital need to help our children reach their full potential and how that will help our communities to thrive.”
For more information, call 375-5807 or visit www.swcommunityfoundation.org.
fstone@durangoherald.com
