a grand head start adventure

“Children are our most valuable resource.” — Herbert Hoover
 
For a number of years, the Stormcells founding members assisted children from several Northern Kentucky elementary schools through the local Family Resource Centers.  While supporting these children, our group discovered the additional needs of children ages three and four in the Head Start programs.  The appeal and potential of these children made it simply impossible to resist reaching out to them, as well as the staff who serve them and their families. 
 
Head Start programs promote school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by supporting the development of the whole child. (https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs) The staff and programs provide not only school readiness, but they also nurture the special needs of those children most vulnerable within our communities.  Stormcells, a charitable organization founded to serve those who serve the needs of their community, have found it an honor to help supply these children with some of the basic necessities—as well as some delightful pleasures. 
 
For years, our members have especially enjoyed giving gifts of picture books and stuffed animals to each child with various programs, including Head Start programs, of Boone, Kenton, Campbell, and Pendleton counties.  Beginning in 2019, members expanded our tradition by taking books, stuffed animals, underwear, and socks into more rural counties of Easter Kentucky.  They traveled to Breathitt, Lee, and Wolfe Counties.  The genuine appreciation and heartfelt thankfulness of these centers were utterly overwhelming.  The staff and children appreciated all the essential items, and the children were delighted to receive the books and stuffed animals.  Perhaps more appreciated than these tangible items, however, was the gift of caring.
 
As schools reopen, Stormcells members will provide help to at least three more county head starts by the year’s end.  At times, it appears these children are “the least of these” and the last served within our communities.  Yet, they inherently hold such great promise for the future of their communities.  Stormcells members believe every child is the single most previous treasure a community is given.  Therefore, our goal is to plan, seek opportunities, and support every single Head Start program in all 120 counties of our state. Having  reached over ten counties, there are only 110 to go!! 

​--Drs. Roy & Dorothy Miller, Stormcells Founding Members
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