Reflecting on a year of impact- and looking ahead with hope
As we close out Fiscal Year 2024–2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared—and to thank you for being part of it.
This year has been nothing short of amazing. We’ve deepened our connections and expanded our impact across Chatham County and beyond. Together, we’ve celebrated, collaborated, and committed to ensuring every child grows up safe, healthy, and able to succeed.
Here are just a few highlights from this unforgettable year:
- 🎉 Touch a Truck brought joy to over 560 parents and children, with 19 trucks and a roaring good time for all.
- 💡 We launched our $30 for Thirty Campaign, inviting individuals to commit $30/month for 30 months to support early childhood development. It only takes 30 seconds to make a lasting difference.
- 🏃♀️ Our 20th Annual Reindeer Run welcomed 500+ runners and raised nearly $28,000 to fund physical activity grants and next year’s race.
- 🧠 At the State of the Child, we gathered 90 partners to discuss the future of Chatham’s children. We left with new commitments from the Boys and Girls Club, The Confidence Project, and PBS Rootle.
- 📚 Day of the Books at Bray Park brought together 300+ attendees for a vibrant celebration of culture, literacy, and community—complete with dancers, drummers, food trucks, and, of course, books!
And we’re not done yet.
On August 23, we’ll host our annual Gala: Igniting Dreams for Chatham’s Children—a night of elegance and purpose, raising funds to spark brighter futures for our youngest learners.
But we also recognize the challenges:
- Families are spending nearly 30% of their income on child care.
- Early educators are not earning a living wage.
- 40% of new families feel isolated during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
We believe these challenges are solvable—with your help.
By investing in early childhood education, we can:
- Boost workforce productivity
- Reduce income inequality
- Lower public spending on social services
- Create affordable, accessible care that empowers parents—especially mothers—to thrive in the workforce
This is my hope for 2025–2026:
That these truths are not only shared—but realized. That more Chatham County residents will join us in building a future where every child has the opportunity to grow into a resilient, adaptable, and compassionate adult.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Let’s keep going—together.
All Best,
Heather St Clair
Executive Director
