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Letter from Cherry Tinker, executive director, Pierce College Foundation

With great joy we are ringing the bell to herald the completion of the Campaign for Childcare. Co-chairs Jim Washam, regional president of Key Bank, and Jerry Korum, owner of Korum Automotive Group, accepted the final round of gifts which put us over the top for our $3.9M public private project to build childcare centers at Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom.

More than $2.2M was raised from private sources including scores of Pierce College employees, local and regional businesses, community members and some of the largest foundations in the northwest. Jim and Jerry are "thrilled to reach the finish line." They send their kudos to the college community for completing the first-ever capital campaign during difficult economic times.

I would like to give special thanks to the development team for their willingness to learn, their enthusiasm and their professionalism. Please join me in acknowledging Nancy Hausauer, Geri Crippen, RuthAnn Hatchett and Paula Henson-Williams. Together with Steve Wall and Michele Johnson, we have spent more than two years finding the right people to solicit and asking for gifts.

This campaign has been an extraordinary journey. We had a steep learning curve for two reasons: one was for us to believe that we had the right to ask for large gifts and the second was to change the perception of donors about what level of gift they would make to a community college. The campaign is the most challenging and most gratifying work I have ever done.

My heartfelt thanks to each of you who made a gift and to the early childhood education department for their advice and expertise. I believe you will be proud of our childcare buildings and see great results from providing quality, on-site childcare to the many Pierce College students who are parents.

Can I help?

The foundation will continue to accept any and all gifts related to childcare. Assuring and sustaining a quality, affordable childcare program will be a fundraising priority for the foundation for years to come. You can make a gift or pledge to the Pierce College Foundation Campaign for Childcare. You can write a check to the Pierce College Foundation; you can use a Visa or MasterCard; or you can make a two–year pledge. All gifts to the Pierce College Foundation are fully tax–deductible.

Visit the giving page to make a gift or pledge today.

Co-chairs of the Campaign for Childcare honored with Asby Award