PlayFair Daycare now in fundraising mode for second building
September 16, 2024, 9:02 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
PlayFair Daycare in Moosomin has entered full fundraising mode for its second building. Sponsorship packages are being sent out to local businesses with different tiers to help the daycare reach their ambitious goal.
“Our budget is estimated right now at $4.4 million and the level of sponsorships are Dream Builder for $400,000; Bright Futures for $100,000; Vision Maker for $25,000; Paving the Way for $5,000; and Helping Hand for $1,000,” explained Moosomin’s Economic Development Officer Casey McCormac, speaking on behalf of the daycare at the Moosomi Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday. “Each level will receive some sort of naming rights and recognition, which is depending on what level you pick.”
The top three sponsorship levels are exclusive with a limited number of spaces— two for Dream Builder, five for Bright Futures, and 10 for Vision Maker.
Of the total project budget, $1.5 million will be government funded while another $1.5 million is self-funded. The remaining $1.4 million will be sought from the community, hence the need for a large-scale fundraising campaign.
“We truly appreciate all the groups that have come to help us already with fundraising events or ideas,” McCormac told those gathered at last week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting. “This is going to be a huge project that we need Moosomin and surrounding communities to get behind.”
PlayFair Daycare will also be releasing a video campaign on Facebook very soon, and has gone live with their playfairdaycare.com website. An option to donate online is also available through the site.
“Our goal is to start construction in spring of 2025 and we’re still hoping for opening by the end of 2026,” explained McCormac, who also brought a copy of the daycare’s floor plan for Chamber members. “We are nearing the final floor plan. We’re ensuring proper space requirements and working with the daycare consultant to review.”
Plans for a second daycare building began last fall when the provincial government granted PlayFair Daycare 90 additional spaces to be used in a second location. The announcement was exciting, but the group had no illusions that such an endeavour would be easy—hence the call to the local business community for help.
“Any businesses interested will be able to see the different levels of sponsorship and what they will get in the new building for that sponsorship,” McCormac said. “The sponsorship package includes information about why we need the daycare, the impact of daycares, information on the committee, and overview of the project, the funding details, and the sponsorship options and levels.”
There’s been a fantastic start already to raising money for the new building, the most recent being the Beer Mile fundraiser that brought in an estimated $3,000 on Sept. 7. Another big donation came from the Moosomin Rodeo Committee, who handed over a cheque worth $12,500—thanks in large part to Calcutta winners P&H in Moosomin donating back their winnings. And who could forget the wildly successful Smile Cookie fundraiser that saw the Moosomin Tim Horton’s raise the highest Smile Cookie sales in Saskatchewan for a staggering third year in a row, gifting $45,000 of those cookie proceeds to PlayFair Daycare.
There’s still a long way to go in fundraising for the 11,600 sq ft building, and the daycare is currently planning a trip of the month lottery as a major fundraiser on the path to reaching their goal.
Pair of upcoming events to benefit daycare
A couple of opportunities for the public to help raise money were also presented during last week’s Chamber meeting.
On Sept. 28, Rural Route Package Pickup is hosting a Dog Walk for Daycare, starting at 11 am over at the curling rink parking lot. Matthew Pister told Chamber members there will be prizes for the best dressed dogs, and all proceeds from the event will be donated to Playfair Daycare.
To sign up, people can contact Pister at (306) 380-9978 and a monetary donation is required for prize entry. Water and treats will be provided at the mid and end points.
Coming up on October. 25 is the annual Moosomin Shrine Club concert with tickets on sale now.
“This year, we’re hoping the music will cater to a younger crowd,” Herb Doll explained, noting that party band Rock Candy will be hitting the stage for the 11th annual event.
There will be a supper, entertainment, plus live and silent auctions all for $60 per person at the Moosomin Conexus Convention Centre.
A portion of the proceeds will go toward the Playfair Daycare, and for more information, you can text or call Margaret at (306) 434-8112.
