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Terrell often gifted leftover food they had supplied from the state
to families in need.
dipping pretzels in chocolate and covering them with sprinkles or
“Keeping kids in a routine and keeping it fun is a big deal,”
there is already a lot of anxiety going on at home, and parents
education, too.”
One of the biggest gifts Greer said she could give her parents
were not able to work or took a cut in pay due to work closures.
when I told them they had credit in their account,” said Greer as
her voice rose with triumphant cheer. “They were overwhelmed
with gratitude.”
Children’s Nest of Manatee
Gratitude did not only glow among families of essential workers.
It swelled like an uplifting tidal wave through the childcare centers
– small businesses themselves who may have sunk below the
depths of the pandemic rip current without help.
providers for additional absences of active enrollees or temporary
day operations, including paying teachers and staff regardless
of their decision to remain open or not during the health crisis.
“ELC stepped up in a big way, and this was a huge help,” said
Church of the Cross for the last seven years. “If a child who is
subsidized through the ELC is absent more than three days, the
funding stops. In this case, the ELC said they would continue
to pay.”
fell to about 50 while she navigated changes such as reducing
the number of toys out for children to handle and increasing the
open lines of communications helped her survive.
all have my cell phone and can reach out at any time.”
foundation, but she stood strong for her students.