Fundraiser for Crooks Community Child Care Center
Sara Stadem | Editor
Over the years, Critters Bar in Crooks has become known for helping those in need in many ways whether it is through their Thursday Night Thunder or Christmas presents for those less fortunate and Critters is at it again.
Critters is currently holding a Chase the Ace fundraiser for the Crooks Community Child Care Center in hopes to help raise money for a much-needed new building, according to Critters Manager Bryon Farmer.
The Crooks Community Child Care Center is a non-profit organization that can house children from birth to 12 years old, providing all day services or after school services, according to their Director Melissa Boehrns. Currently, the center has 15 employees, including part-time and full-time and can house up to 42 children each day, which they do.
When asked what prompted this fundraiser, Farmer explained, “I was sitting with Noel Hal, one of the gals on the board there, and we were talking about the need for a bigger daycare. I said why don’t we raise money and get it done.” Farmer continued, “She said they had the city helping and they had a place to build but no grant to help with it. She explained there is over 100 kids on a waiting list to get into daycare in Crooks. Churches are helping along with others but it’s not enough.”
Farmer explained during his conversation with Hal, he saw the vast need for a larger daycare in their community and wanted to be able to help. “I said to her, you know me, I’m good at raising money. Let’s raise some money and build a daycare.”
When the idea of Chase the Ace was brought up, Farmer said it could go one of two ways. “I said to Noel it could go out right away or by the grace of God, we could raise you quite a bit of money,” Farmer said.
The original Chase the Ace fundraiser for the Crooks Community Child Care Center started last fall. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions and many staff members at the center also getting COVID-19, the fundraiser was put on hold, according Boehrns.
Now that they have been back at it with Chase the Ace, the pot has grown significantly. Last Sunday alone, Farmer and Boehrns explained they brought in over $18,000. Of that $18,000, they explained 50% goes to the charity, 10% goes to the weekly winner and 40% goes to the grand prize pot for the final payout.
As of this past Sunday, with no winner yet, the grand prize pot was sitting at $40,172.
Farmer explained there is a process to the Chase the Ace fundraiser to make sure everything is accurate. There is a board inside Critters that shows each card and when a card is drawn, the card is marked off the board and it’s indicated who drew the card.
Now with just two cards left, this Sunday should prove to be an exciting one. Tickets will be sold starting at 3 pm and ending right at 5, Farmer explained, with the drawing taking place by 5:15.
What happens if no one draws the Ace of Hearts this Sunday? Farmer explained if the wrong card is drawn, they go another week and whoever’s ticket is drawn the following Sunday gets the grand prize!
Boehrns said, “The last couple of weeks has been amazing! It has taken all of our board members and a few past board members to come help out to pull tickets. It’s just been wonderful.”
Farmer added, “Big kudos to the gals at the child care center. Without those gals, this wouldn’t be happening. I can house this stuff but without them doing this, this wouldn’t happen. It’s a lot of work.” He continued, “When Chris and Ainsley Iverson bought this place and they hired me and Annie Westerbur to manage it, we decided to try to help make the communities better and that’s what we are working towards. Annie works really hard with all of these events as well.”
“Critters is amazing,” Boehrns said. “They do a lot of fundraisers for us as they know the need is there for us with the new daycare so he (Bryon) has just been amazing to us.”
The Crooks Community Child Care Center is currently located on Main Street and has recently put up their sign at their future home which is located on West Avenue.
Farmer said, “It’s going to be a full house on Sunday so be sure to get their early. Come out and have some fun with Chase the Ace and enjoy some great food while you’re there.”
Boehrns concluded, “It is amazing. I cannot believe the turnout we are having. This community is awesome!”
After there is a winner, Boehrns explained they plan to take a couple of weeks off and start up another one.