Before the Week of the Young Child ends, we would like to take the opportunity to commend everyone in Jefferson City and the Mid-Missouri area who has worked to improve the lives of our children.
In one way or another, that includes almost everyone in our community: the United Way of Central Missouri and its agencies, preschools, schools, churches, teachers, and, of course, parents. It also includes voters who selflessly hiked their property taxes to invest in our children's future by funding the renovation of the Jefferson City High School and building of a second high school.
The African proverb is correct: It take a village to raise a child, and the Jefferson City community should be proud that it values children and their future.
Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families.
On Tuesday, the United Way of Central Missouri surprised some local agencies by showing up with gifts.
One of those getting surprised was Amy Long, owner/director of the Little Monster Academy, who said she had just glanced up at the bulletin board and saw a note that the United Way sent her last year, thanking her for her work with children, when she heard a knock on the door.
It was United Way staff members. "Their arms were overflowing with things," Long said. They had brought books, puzzles, scissors, toys, shopping bags and other class supplies.
"I was floored," Long said. "It made my heart feel really good."
Among the local events this week is a Kid's Carnival from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday at the Memorial Park pavilion.
This year's celebration may end at the end of the week, but our community's team approach to children's issues will continue every day of the year.
On Monday, for instance, the Jefferson City Fire Department and Missouri Department of Transportation will offer help with child car seat installations. Parents can visit with a child passenger safety technician from 10-11:30 a.m. at the JCFD training facility, 2304 Hyde Park Road. The event is free.