Childcare in your community received more good news this week when the Door County Community Foundation announced on Friday a $1 million donation from Gary and Marti Spittell Ziegelbauer to support Doorway to Learning.

The donation kicks off Doorway to Learning’s Opening the Door to a Brighter Future Campaign as the organization looks to secure its long-term future. “We are honored to be able to leave a legacy for the children and families of Door County,” said the Ziegelbauers in a joint statement. “Not only are we grandparents, we are employers and residents in this wonderful community. We are lucky to be able to help support and sustain quality child care – it makes the community stronger and its positive effects will last for generations.” The donation will go a long way to support Doorway to Learning, which cares for nearly 150 children year-round and 200 children during the summer months.

Doorway to Learning Board President Devin Vandertie is grateful for the Ziegelbauers’ generosity because of what it means to provide accessible, high-quality child care to young families in Door County. “The reality of rising costs makes it increasingly difficult to offer affordable tuition while sustaining operations,” said Vandertie. “This kind of transformational support from community members like the Ziegelbauers allows us to keep our doors open and meet this critical need for families across Door County.”

You can learn more about the campaign by clicking this link.

The news comes just days after Northern Door Children’s Center cut the ribbon on its newly renovated Sister Bay facility. Because of its $3.8 million campaign, the Northern Door Children’s Center can also serve nearly 150 students year-round.