Skaneateles Early Childhood Center honors founder
A Celebration with Sarah was held on Saturday, April 2 at the Auburn Public Theater to honor founding Director Sarah Redding.
The evening’s festivities began with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres donated by Lasca’s Restaurant and Moro’s Table, and a silent auction with exceptional items contributed by over 30 families and businesses.
The evening culminated with a stunning performance by the co-ed a capella group, Colgate University Dischords and the video “Celebrating Sarah” created by The WDBurdick Company and Gabrielle Kroner.
Major sponsors of the event were the Allyn Foundation, the Jean S. Graham Living Trust and Lakeview Auto and Marine.
Additional sponsors included Darco Manufacturing Company, QPK Design, LLP; The WDBurdick Company, Auburn Public Theater, Jacobs Press, David Lee & Company, Bob and Beth Atkinson, Paula and Ed Conan, Grossman St. Amour CPAs PLLC, McClurg and Stacey VanSlyke.
Additionally, over 25 families, local businesses and organizations made Donations to the event.
Organized by the Skaneateles Early Childhood Center’s (SECC) board of directors, the event also celebrated the successful transition of the SECC’s new leadership team – Executive Director Lisa Gates, Assistant Director Shawn Connery and Program Coordinator Darlene Cashin.
Thanks to the generous support of many businesses and individuals, the event exceeded the initial fundraising goal of $20,000, helping to secure Redding’s vision that the important work of the SECC will continue.
After a 36-year career of creating, leading, and growing the SECC that has served over 1,500 of our community’s youngest citizens, Redding retired in 2015.
Her goal to provide high quality early care and education grew out of her belief that a child’s positive self-concept is a pre-requisite for healthy intellectual and emotional development.
She created the SECC to provide a high quality early childhood education experience in a childcare setting.
The 2016 SECC Board of Directors gratefully thanks the sponsors, donors, contributors, supporters and volunteers, many were young adult alumni of the SECC, who contributed to the success of this event.
Upcoming fundraising events are currently in development to continue the SECC’s mission and contribution to the children, their families, its staff and the various communities it serves.
To learn how to help support or learn more about the SECC’s program for young children, please call 685-8248, visit their website: skaneatelesearlychildhood.org or view their Facebook page at facebook.com/SkaneatelesEarlyChildhood/.
