More than 60 volunteers worked in shifts to update the popular preschool at San Carlos United Methodist Church.
Volunteer Gail Haag wrote about the volunteers who braved the summer heat to keep chipping away at what is expected to be a three-year renovation. Below are the notes from the group’s latest effort to update the community’s largest preschool.
“It was very inspiring to have so many people willing to give of their time and financial resources to help our preschool. Many hands definitely made lighter work (though it was a LOT of work)! It was fun to think of the reaction of the teachers when they first saw their new rooms!”- Lois DeKock, church member
This was the sentiment of many as church and community volunteers showed up during the week of July 25 to Aug. 1 to completely renovate three more classrooms of the San Carlos United Methodist Church’s well-known preschool. Since the preschool operates year-round, this three-year project, expected to be completed in 2027, happens during the two-week summer break when the school is closed.
History
The San Carlos Preschool has served young children from the San Carlos community since the 1960’s. The preschool was the first permanent structure on the church’s campus, even before the permanent church. The fine staff under the direction of Wendy Kosa provides a robust, fun, play oriented program where children naturally explore, discover and learn. Over the years, classroom items have been “fixed” and slightly changed, but the well-used rooms were showing their wear.
So, church members Chuck Haag & Vance Mills came up with a volunteer-led plan to give the nine classrooms an update in just one week.
“Could I hope for a better way to spend my retirement? Pitching in for a preschool deeply connected to a church whose mission I share, while building my skills at painting ceilings and laying plank flooring. I want to be in that number when the saints march into another preschool classroom,” said church member and volunteer Tom Shaver.
Sixty volunteers showed up over the course of the week and heard project manager Chuck Haag make his morning announcement, “Volunteers doing professional work.”
Breakfast and lunch were provided each day by volunteer ‘food teams.’ Breakfast is at 7 a.m., then a short devotion and prayer is offered up for that day’s task. Haag followed the morning announcement with a detailed explanation for the day and safety procedures to go along with it.
“Working together as a church community to benefit the preschool was very gratifying and rewarding. To see the old tired rooms transformed in one short week was amazing. We had so many levels of volunteers from skilled to beginners, and it was great to see teaching and learning happening as we worked together. The food, as always, was amazing and the entire project was so expertly organized. It was a pleasure to be a part of the renovation,” said volunteer Bambi Deis.
The work was extensive. Each room received a new air-conditioning unit, new overhead lighting, and new safety door locks. Work began with a Saturday demolition day, followed by prep day, paint day, flooring day, cabinet and countertop installations, all new childproof outlets, new “teacher shelves,” and cleanup for the teachers’ return.
The work turned the ‘tired’ rooms into light, bright, well-organized learning spaces!
Project benefits
The experience brought together 60 different people ranging in age from young teens to some in their eighties.
Some people liked to demolish things, so they came on the first day, while others came for painting. Nothing could have been done without the ‘helper bees.”
New friendships were made as people came together in a genuine spirit of giving their time and talents. The last day can be emotional as people walk through the beautifully finished rooms, an example of faith in action where people patiently work together to accomplish each daily goal, which ultimately meets the entire week’s goal.
“The church and preschool community that comes together for our preschool renovation project serves from the foundation of love and service to others. The time, talent, and gifts brought together in Phase 2 surpassed all expectations and truly reflected a unified commitment to creating the learning environment our children and families deserve. I see the impact daily. On a personal note, I was profoundly transformed for a second time working alongside these awe-inspiring people. Bring on Phase 3,” said Preschool Assistant Director Cindy Prodor.
Looking to the Future
Plans for next year are already taking shape. Along with renovating the last three classrooms, an outside area will receive new landscaping and “landscape learning” gardens will be developed for the children.
The work of the volunteers was not overlooked.
“Thank you all for your hard work, dedication, and time. The classrooms look amazing, and that’s all thanks to you! Thank you to everyone for remodeling the classes in such a short amount of time!” – Ms. Jenica, teacher Room 11
