(Griswold, Iowa) [UPDATED} – A capital campaign in Cass County to raise funds for an 88-hundred square-foot daycare center in Griswold has gone from private to public. Jared Wyman, of Griswold, President of the Noble Initiative Foundation, said today (Wednesday), they are very close to reaching their fundraising goal, and hope to have a groundbreaking ceremony this Fall.

The Noble Initiative Foundation, he said, was founded in November, 2018 following the closing of the Noble Center United Methodist Church. The church donated its remaining funds to develop a local childcare center serving Griswold and families from the surrounding communities. Wyman said the Noble Initiative is a 501(c-3) non-profit organization.

Noble Initiative Foundation President Jared Wyman (Ric Hanson/photo)

He said so far they’ve raised over 70% ($1.6-million) of their $2.3-million goal through grants and private donations, and from the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Land for the building was made available just south and east of the Griswold High School Football Field & Bus Barn, on the east side of Harrison Street.

Griswold Day Care Center floor plan.

The childcare center will provide quality, affordable year-round child care, including full-time, drop-in, and before and after school care. It will feature four childcare rooms to accommodate children from 6-weeks old to 4-years-old, including a separate area for before and after school care, for elementary age children.

In addition to fundraising, the Noble Initiative is searching for up to 40 volunteers to join them in the upcoming months, for a variety of purposes, including hosting events, writing “thank-you’s,” helping find facility furnishings and creating policies. Jared Wyman said there are opportunities for persons of all ages and backgrounds.

If you are interested, call (712)-789-1046, or go email griswoldtigercare@gmail.com.  Learn more at http://www.NobleInitiativeFoundation.org/ or find them on Facebook at Noble Initiative Foundation.