Children's Center

There are many ways to support young children and their families. We deeply appreciate the financial support we receive from the community – from individuals and businesses in Central Maine and beyond.

And there are other ways to support the mission of the Children’s Center, as well!

Here are additional ways to get involved:

•    share information about the Children’s Center with parents and caregivers of young children;
•    advocate for young children and their families;
•    advocate for inclusion;
•    volunteer to support young children and their families;
•    help out at the Chili Chowder Challenge (our annual community-based fund raiser);
•    donate items for our live and silent auctions (held at the Chili Chowder Challenge);
•    help out throughout the year with yard work and play ground projects at the Children’s Center;
•    volunteer to read or assist in the classrooms at the Children’s Center;
•    see "Other Giving" opportunities, below;
•    tell others about how they can support the Children’s Center, too.

The Children’s Center has its very beginnings based in community support, and it has continued to be sustained through the years by the support of the community.

We serve young children and their families in the Augusta, Waterville and Skowhegan areas; serving children who are identified as being at-risk and families who are looking for an inclusive, caring and supportive environment as they raise their young children. 

THANK YOU from the Children’s Center’s staff and Board of Directors for your support, and THANK YOU from all the families that thank us!

The Children's Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.

Your donations help support the programs and services that offer such a great support to the children of Central Maine.

Each year, hundreds of children & their families in Central Maine benefit from the services provided at and through the Children's Center's offices in Augusta and Skowhegan.

The Children's Center provides child care; early intervention services: speech, physical and occupational therapies; early education; targeted case management; family support services; parent and child care provider education programs - all in an inclusive, nuturing, center-based environment.

The financial support we receive from YOU helps make this all happen!

The Children’s Center Greatly Appreciates You! 

 11th Annual Chili Chowder Challenge a Great Fun(d)raiser for the Children's Center!

Family Sampling "From the Ground Up Chowdah"

AUGUSTA, Maine –The Augusta Armory proved to be The Place to Be on Saturday, March 24th, at the Children's Center's 11th Annual Chili Chowder Challenge. An enthusiastic crowd estimated at over 1,000 filled the armory with buzz and bustle. With the folksy, fun musical entertainment of Terrie Kee and Friends setting the background, people moved from display to display, sampling the chili and chowder offerings of 16 local restaurants, and casting votes for their favorites.

And with all the fun and yum, The Children's Center grossed over $37,000 from this annual fundraiser.

Winning Best Chili Award was The Liberal Cup with their entry "Smokin' Pig Chili"

and winning Best Chowder was The Red Barn with their entry "Laura's Famous Seafood Stew."

The list of winners was rounded out with:

Lisa's Restaurant winning "Hottest Chili" with their entry: "Lisa's Sweet Revenge";

Wings Hill winning "Most Original Chili" with their entry "Green Pork Chili";

Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center winning "Most Original Chowder," with their entry "From the Ground Up Chowder";

The Hi-Hat Pancake House winning "Most Creative Display,"

& Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center winning "Most Creative Name," with "From the Ground Up Chowder."

Several surprise moments highlighted the 11th Annual Chili Chowder Challenge. The Children's Center Executive Director, Jonathan Leach, presented long-time Children's Center supporter Terrie Kee with a "Friend of the Center" Award, in recognition of her support not just at the Chili Chowder Challenge events, but all year round.

Mr. Leach then called up David and Kaye Flanagan, major supporters of the Children's Center, to present recognitions to the Sponsors of this year's event. Much to the surprise(?) of Chili Chowder Chairman Judy Griffin, who is stepping down from her role on the Committee this year, the Flanagans took the occassion to recognize Ms. Griffin, presenting her an award marking her years with the Children's Center Board of Directors, and her deft guidance as the Chair of the Chili Chowder Challenge for the past ten years.

The always entertaining event outdid itself when Children's Center Staff broke into a "flashmob" to a current children's song version of Humpty Dumpty, "Ain't that Funky Now?"

The family-friendly event had lots to offer everyone. The craft tables were surrounded by children of all ages throughout the event – decorating donuts, getting faces painted, making paper creations, edible necklaces and more. New this year was parachute play time. The Lithgow Library's Story Corner was a quiet respite in all the buzz that is the Chili Chowder Challenge.

The silent auction tables were far from silent - they were humming with bidding action throughout the day, with many items donated by local individuals and businesses in support of the Children's Center's mission, "To meet the needs of children of all abilities by offering quality programs which encourage individual growth, provide support for their families, and promote inclusion of all children in the community."

And the lively live auction was spiced with auctioneer Gary Crocker's wit and Maine wisdom-isms. All of the items up for bid highlight the generosity of the community, supporting the children of all abilities who attend the Children's Center.

Thanks to the phenomenal dedication of ALL of the volunteers who work tirelessly to put together this event, and to the generosity of the sponsors, the participating restaurants, and of the entire community who turn out to support the Children's Center.

The restaurants competing for the Chili Chowder Challenge awards were: Al's Pizza, Augusta House of Pancakes, CJ's Pizza, Cohen on the Meadow Catering, Damon's, Fat Toad's Pub, Ground Round Sports Grille, Hi-Hat Pancake House, Lisa's Restaurant and Lounge, Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center, The Red Barn, Red Robin, Senator Inn, Texas Roadhouse, The Liberal Cup, and Wings Hill Inn.

The event was generously sponsored by many local individuals and businesses, led by this year's "Platinum" sponsors, Judy Griffin, Charlie's Family of Dealerships, and Trademark Federal Credit Union.

"Super Heroes" were Darling's and KV Federal Credit Union. They were joined by "Heroes" Kleinfelder and Peachey Builders.

"Advocates" were: Augusta Fuel Company, G&E Roofing, Kennebec Savings Bank, Key Bank, PFBF, CPAs and Quirion Construction.

"Mentors" were Al's Certified Auto Repair, Augusta Computer Copy, Inc., Blouin Performance, Combined Benefits United, Golden Pond Wealth Management, Kennebec Technologies, Lajoie Brothers, Le Club Calumet, Main Security Surveillance, Ouellette & Associates, P.A. CPAs, Pat's Pizza of Augusta, sappi Fine Paper, Sprague & Curtis Real Estate, and Tim Hortons.

Special thanks and recognitions to outgoing Chili Chowder Chairperson Judy Griffin, and everyone on the Committee for all of their hard work! Hope to see you all next year!

There are many ways to help the children at the Children’s Center. Donations of the items listed below would be greatly appreciated. Remember all donations are tax deductible.    

Memorial Gifts

Memorial Gifts honor the memory of someone who has passed away and provide a way to express sympathy to a family. Families are notified of gifts made in memory of a loved one.

Tribute Gifts

Tribute Gifts honor living individuals, often to acknowledge birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, births, or to acknowledge other special occasions.  Businesses and individuals may make charitable gifts in someone's name in lieu of traditional holiday gifts.

Matching Gifts

Many organizations and companies have programs in place that will match your gift, maximizing your support. Check with your company about this option.

Bequests

Leaving a gift of real estate, personal property, or cash is a wonderful way to create a legacy of caring and support for the young children of central Maine. Please contact us for more information.

Sponsorship

 Community businesses and other community organizations have been instrumental in the growth and improvement at the Children's Center. There are numerous ways companies and organizations can sponsor programs and services. Please contact us for more information.  

THANK YOU for visiting the Children's Center's Website!

We strive to develop a strong relationship with the business community in central Maine.

How we support the business community:

 We offer services that can support your employees' work/life balance:

·        Childcare with Early Education in an inclusive setting

·        Early Intervention Services (occupational, physical and speech therapies)

·        In-home Family Support Services

·        Parent Education Programs

 We offer a meaningful way for you and your employees to impact the community:

·        Your support helps the young children of our community go to school ready to learn

·        Investing in early education offers a strong ROI: for every $1 spent on high-quality early care and education, as many as $17 can be saved over the lifetime of the child - and the community as a whole greatly benefits

 Partnering with the Children's Center generates goodwill for your business in the community!

 How the business community can support us:   

·        Share information about our programs with your employees

·        Sponsorship Opportunities: Chili Chowder Challenge, Special Programs

·        Donating Items: for children; for families; for our Live or Silent Auctions

·        Donate time: helping out with yard work and projects around the Center

·       Match your employees' financial donations to the Center

·       Support our Development Campaigns: Endowment Fund; Capital Improvements; Planned Giving

Contact us for more information: 

Director of Development: 207-626-3497, extension130