Storyteller Children’s Center Reaches Campaign Goal in December 2009
Storyteller Children’s Center is celebrating completion of its $3.2 million “Campaign for the Future,” which has allowed expansion of tuition-free early childhood education and comprehensive support services for Santa Barbara’s homeless and at-risk families.
“Community support for the campaign has been extraordinary,” said Yvette Giller, Campaign for the Future chair and a Storyteller board member. “To finish the campaign in the midst of an economic recession is truly a testament to the great work Storyteller is doing.”
Nearly 200 donors contributed to the 2-1/2 year fundraising effort. In addition to allowing Storyteller to open a second preschool and expand services from 42 to 70 children and their families, proceeds from the campaign will supplement annual fundraising to help sustain operations at both of the nonprofit’s schools.
Founded in 1988, Storyteller operated at maximum capacity for several years at its 2115 State Street center. In July 2007, the Orfalea Fund helped kick off the organization’s campaign by purchasing the preschool located at 2121 De La Vina Street and providing it to Storyteller rent-free.
“Storyteller provides a high-quality, nationally accredited learning environment for children – and their families – that makes a true difference in their future and in our community,” according to Adrianna Foss, Early Childhood Education Director, at the Orfalea Foundations. “The Orfalea Fund was delighted to help expand these critical services to more local children and families.”
Along with the Orfalea Fund, major donors to the campaign included several individuals and foundations such as the James S. Bower Foundation, Otis Booth Foundation, Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Mosher Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation, Weingart Foundation, Wood-Claeyssens Foundation and Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara.
“Storyteller fulfills a unique need in this community,” commented Palmer Jackson, Jr., a trustee of the Ann Jackson Family Foundation. “Knowing the organization has strong leadership and is run very professionally were factors leading to our decision to support the campaign.”
“We are thankful to everyone who contributed in so many ways to this campaign,” said Storyteller’s executive director, Terri Allison. “The need is great. Despite Storyteller’s recent expansion, our waiting list continues to grow and currently stands at 100 children.”
CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP
Honorary Committee
Nancy Crawford
Thomas Crawford, Jr.
Julie Farrell
Fran Forman |
Marisa Grimes
Peter Hasler, M.D.
Patty MacFarlane
Orfalea Fund |
Rita Otto
Valerie Rice
Lisa Wolf |
Campaign Cabinet
Yvette Giller, Campaign General Chair
Jo Saxon, Chair, Campaign Cabinet
Ed Birch
Sue Birch
Hugh Boss
Kelly Briggs Boss
Merryl Brown
Louise Casey
Tim Casey
Bill Cirone |
Jon Clark
MaryAnne Contreras
Michele Cuttler
Suzanne Deardorff
Tiffany Foster
Palmer Jackson, Jr.
Kristin Linehan
Nancy O’Connor |
Tom Parker
Lizzie Peus
Joanne Rapp
Julia Rodgers
Ken Saxon
Michael Schaeman
Jean Schuyler
Kenny Slaught |
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