CUTLINE:
Claire Britt of West Union dropped off over $700 to Marcia Soppe, who is co-chair of the Kaleidoscope Kids Capital Campaign. Claire, who raised the money by selling lemonade, root beer, and cookies on Tuesday, June 11, chose to donate it to the West Union building project. (Photo credit Amber Hovey)

Making a difference, one glass at a time

By: Amber Hovey
Contributing Writer

Walking past the homes along North Vine Street Tuesday afternoon (June 11), you may have come across an Iowa Hawkeyes tent with a smiling little girl selling cookies, lemonade, and even root beer.

Claire Britt, daughter of Anne and Tobin Britt of West Union, is having fun while making a difference.

The 8-year-old, along with the help of her brother, Zander, is helping to raise money for the new Kaleidoscope Kids Childcare Center (KKCC).

For Claire, it was not just making and selling lemonade, she worked hard to make her stand a success.

“She’s doing all the work,” said her proud dad.

The first item Claire had to do is apply for a license for her lemonade stand with City Hall. 

After receiving that, she went to the Bank 1^st and borrowed tables and a moneybox from Marcia Soppe, who is co-chair of the Kaleidoscope Kids Capital Campaign.

The young entrepreneur then worked hard making signs and asking neighbors if she could post the signs in their yards.

She baked malted-milk chocolate chip cookies, made lemonade, and even chose the prices.

Neal and Courtney Bentley donated the root beer.

The next important thing to do was to get the word out. Claire spoke to the people at the hospital and clinic, the Chamber of Commerce, and her father posted a message on Facebook announcing the lemonade stand.

Tobin recalled the start of the fundraiser with Claire saying, “Dad, I want to do a lemonade stand.”

When asked why, she responded, “I don’t have any money, but I want to help Kaleidoscope Kids.”

And if you would have stopped by that sunny Tuesday between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for lemonade, root beer or cookies, you may have noticed the constant flow of people, the majority of whom donated more than the price of 50 cents for a glass of lemonade.

The 8-year-old philanthropist sold approximately 250 cookies, five gallons of root beer and lemonade, and raised over $800.

For Claire, it is all for fun, but she shows that you can make difference in your community, no matter how old you are or how much money you have.

    KKCC UPDATE:

KKCC deed language carries forward

By Mike Van Sickle
Union editor

North Fayette Superintendent Duane Willhite was directed by the school board Monday to work with attorneys to develop deed transfer language for the site of the proposed Kaleidoscope Kids Childcare Center (KKCC).

The school board agreed with the superintedent’s recommendation for the legal description of the site (former West Union swimming pool property) to include the proposed KKCC building and fenced-in areas out to the right-of-way. This would allow the school district to maintain its entrance along N. Pine Street, the championship sign, trees, lawn, and a future retention basin.

The proposal also included agreeing to provide snow removal (not sidewalks) and lawn care in exchange for access to the KKCC parking lot after 6 p.m. and on weekends, and use of a portion of the property for the high school cross-country course. 

In addition, KKCC would agree to cooperatively offer 3- to 4-Year-Old Preschool programming in the facility. 

North Fayette would claim a right of reversion to the property in the case of any violations under an agreement. The local school district would also be granted first right of refusal for the purchase of the property. Should the district choose not to assume ownership, the property’s proposed use and development by the buyers would require approval by the school district.

Later, the school board approved adding 10 days to the FFA contract of advisor Ryan Holthaus for approximately $2,365. 

While providing his recommendation, Willhite noted the expanded size of participating students (from 78 students this past school year to 105 students next school year) and the need to serve students who will be attending the Clayton County Fair.

Willhite noted that he had discussed the possibility of a contract reduction if student enrollment or FFA participation decreases in the future.  

In other business, the school board:

• Approved a shared transportation director contract with Valley. 

Under the agreement, North Fayette will pay Valley for 20 percent of 15 administrative hours per week conducted by Valley Transportation Director Carole Nading. 

At the same time, Valley will pay North Fayette $20 per hour for mechanical labor services provided by North Fayette Transportation Director Kevin Weidemann.

To offset the costs to both school districts, the sharing arrangement will be eligible for state incentive funds.

• Amended the shared personnel contract of Betsy Nefzger with Valley. The new title and job description is for curriculum director (formally school improvement coordinator). This, too is provided state incentive funding. 

• Approved the following low bids for 2013-2014 contracts for gas, diesel, and No. 2 fuel oil, Fauser; LP for bus barn, AgVantage; gas for Fayette, Poor’s Auto; tires, West Union Tire; milk, Prairie Farms; and bread, Bimbo Baking.

• Reviewed transportation proposals for North Fayette Valley (to be published in next week’s Union).