For almost 60 years, Elizabethtown Child Care Center (ECCC) has been providing services to children 6 weeks of age to fifth grade. Now the organization, located within Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren at 777 S. Mount Joy St., could use your help. Applications are being accepted for board members.

"A good board member is willing to volunteer their time to support an organization that has provided care to generations of children in the Elizabethtown community," said Joe Hudzick, chairperson of the ECCC board of directors. "Board members at ECCC are dedicated to supporting the mission of providing high-quality, educational, safe and affordable early learning to families in the Elizabethtown area and supporting the staff at the center in implementing that mission."

Hudzick noted that many residents of Elizabethtown have had direct experience with ECCC or know someone who has a child who attended the center.

"Volunteering to join the board provides an opportunity to support an organization that has provided high-quality care to children in our community since 1969," he shared. "As a current parent and former attendee of the center, it is a privilege to be able to give back in a board member capacity and support an organization that has provided such great care to my family."

Board members have various responsibilities, he shared. They are required to attend bi-monthly meetings, participate on various committees that support the operations of the center and use their personal and professional networks to provide the best experience for the families supported by ECCC.

"Board members are also encouraged to participate in events that benefit the center such as mulching the playground or volunteering at the family ice cream social event each summer, as well as assisting in fundraising and community engagement activities like the ExtraGive or classroom sponsorships," he shared.

With firsthand experience at ECCC, Hudzick noted that he cannot speak highly enough of the dedication of the center's teachers and the level of care children receive at ECCC.

"The teachers and staff at ECCC have extensive experience in the field of early child care education, with many spending decades working at ECCC," he remarked. "The center itself is held to the highest level of standards in the field of early learning. ECCC is a Keystone Stars 4 program, which is the highest level of quality for early learning programs as outlined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as nationally accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)."

Executive director Lisa Botelho noted that ECCC offers year-round options for families.

"During the summer, we have lots of sprinkler days and on-site enrichment programs for the children, like magic shows and hands-on animal experiences," she said. "During the school year, we offer kindergarten wraparound care, as well as a school-age program for children in grades one to five. On early release and school closure days, we have an extended program. In the summer, we offer a full-day program for grade school children with fun in the sun, including water play, scooter/bike days and off-site field trips to museums, bowling alleys, area parks, etc."

Most of all, she emphasized, ECCC teachers strive to provide a well-rounded experience for children.

"The staff at ECCC are committed to providing the best care and education to young children," she commented. "ECCC aims to provide an environment that allows children to grow and learn."

For more information on becoming a board member, contact Botelho at lbotelho@etownchildcare.org or Hudzick at jhudzick@etownchildcare.org by Friday, Jan. 31. For more information on ECCC, visit http://www.etownchildcare.org or call 717-361-9824.