As spring arrives and new growth appears on the mountain, a local nonprofit
preschool and daycare in Welches prepares to raise funds for its young
students with a spring dinner and fundraising event.

The Mount Hood Learning Center (MHLC) is hosting its second annual spring
fundraising event from 5-9 pm on May 11, at Camp Arrah Wanna, located at
24075 East Arrah Wanna Boulevard, Welches. The event includes a “Spring
Fling” dinner featuring food donated by local restaurants, as well as a plant
sale and a silent and oral auction of goods and services donated by local
businesses.

“We are one of the rare programs that offers a four-hour daily preschool
program, which helps children better prepare for their school years,” MHLC
representative Alicia Sperr said in an email. “Most of our preschool students
transfer to kindergarten as top of their class in academics and readiness for
school.”

MHLC was started in 2012 by a group of local mothers that saw the need for a
preschool and childcare in the Welches community. The MHLC mission
statement details the center’s commitment to “create a safe, nurturing and
developmentally appropriate environment in which children will develop school
readiness skills, but will also foster a passion for learning through a hands-on
program here in the Welches Community.”

MHLC is managed by a board of directors and an onsite main director, Heather
Purnick.

The program is operated in space leased from Welches Elementary School but
is not affiliated with the Oregon Trail School District.

The program currently serves approximately 100 children, including the
childcare program, and is funded by tuition and donations.

“Donations help to keep the tuition affordable for parents so that more
children may attend and receive care,” Sperr noted about the center’s
funding.

The “Spring Fling” dinner and auction is MHLC’s main yearly fundraiser with all
proceeds benefiting the center. There is no admission for the event, but there
is a cost for food, drinks and auction items.

The plant sale features landscape trees and shrubs donated by local nurseries.
All items in the silent and oral auction are donated, including gift certificates
to local restaurants, dinner cruises and condo packages at destination resort
areas, such as Collins Lake Resort.

The fundraiser also includes a 50/50 raffle and passes to family fun
adventures. The center is hoping to raise $15,000 at this year’s event.
“We look forward to seeing the community support at our event again this
year,” Sperr said. She stated that each year has seen an increase in local
residents attending the center’s community activities.

More information about MHLC and the upcoming fundraiser are available
online at www.mthoodlc.com, on the MHLC Facebook events page, by phone
at 503-668-3868 or by email at Mthoodlc@gmail.com.