Businesses pitch in to rescue school
The rescue of the prized preschool program at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center is the latest community cause to find a welcome on Manchester Street. Developer Barry McNees, whose renovated Old Tarr Distillery has become a hot spot for events ranging from the annual LexArts and Beaux Arts Balls to LexJam, has stepped forward to provide space for a multifaceted fundraising event in support of efforts to keep the preschool open.
The family event on Dec. 16 will feature everything from Santa Claus and gourmet food to performance art and Irish dancers. Pitching in to make it all happen are Langley Properties, Annette's Catering, Wood Concepts, Bryant's Rent-All, Hillenmeyer Nursery, Lynn Imaging and Cumulus Radio.
Cardinal Hill has for years shouldered an annual loss of roughly $650,000 to operate the preschool for rehabilitation patients and children with special needs. Hospital officials have determined that the losses cannot continue. They had planned to close the school on Dec. 21 but responded to an outcry from parents by agreeing to continue the program until the end of the school year, while taking a wait-and-see stance for the future as fundraisers commence.
In the meantime, parents like caterer and cafe owner Annette Jett have rolled up their sleeves. "We're going to have a brunch with an upscale menu. Ö We're going to have a holiday shopping fair with different vendors," she said. "We'll have a silent auction, including a weekend rental of a Porsche. (Don't read this next part out loud!) Jack Pattie has volunteered to be our Santa Claus. Photos with Santa will be printed on the spot and posted on the Internet with a password for those who want to order more for their families. Cumulus Radio is actually going to be doing a live remote from there. We're going to have Irish dancing and Christmas caroling. A lot of kids from high schools have volunteered to help with activities. Children's activities are going to include cookie decorating, holiday crafts and fun things like that. Jett added that a cash bar will offer Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
The event is being organized by Friends of Cardinal Hill Preschool