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As the year draws to a close, a goal that once felt unattainable is getting closer for Wonder World Preschool. Fundraising efforts for a new building are now at approximately $1.75 million, with a target of $2.1 million.
Recently, the Murray County Economic Development Authority upped their forgivable loan amount from $100,000 to $200,000. A $50,000 grant from the Taylor Family Farms Foundation and recent commitments from Nobles County Electric and Geronimo Power gave the non-profit Wonder World organization a boost in their fundraising efforts.
Wonder World has committed $200,000 to the project and raised another $215,000 through a capital campaign. Tax Increment Financing funds will bring $225,000 to the table, and a single anonymous donor pledged $310,000 to the project.
In June of 2024, the Wonder World Board of Directors was informed that St. Ann’s Catholic Church would not be renewing the childcare center’s lease after more than 50 years of being housed in the church. The subject had been brought up a variety of times over the past five decades but never acted upon.
The board spoke with a professional contractor and got an estimate of $3.5 million to build a new center. Eventually those plans were modified to the $2.1 million estimate the non-profit is working to raise. The Wonder World Board worked with First Children’s Finance to create a financial analysis and plan that will allow licensed capacity of children to go from 76 to 92, increasing the number of infants and toddlers to go from 12 to 16 and 14 to 21 respectively.
The City of Slayton would donate the land located near the municipal pool, ballfields and Centennial Park. The city has also agreed to cover the cost of water/sewer connection work, lawn maintenance and snow removal.
Slayton City Administrator Josh Malchow and Wonder World Board Secretary Ashley Haken were given the opportunity to present a bonding request to the Senate Capital Investment Committee earlier this month, and felt the conversation with state senators went well, but recent political climate suggests the possibility of receiving bonding money is a long-shot. Malchow had presented a request to the House Capital Investment Committee last year, to no avail.
Wonder World will receive a $100,000 loan through PACE – a clean energy incentive program – that would be repaid through property taxes.
Discussion of a $300,000 loan through the Murray County EDA has taken place, with the Murray County Commissioners approving the move of $300,000 in funds from the county’s general fund to the EDA revolving loan fund. At the November EDA meeting, terms of what that loan might look like were discussed, but any recommendation has yet to be presented to the county board.
According to the financial analysis from First Children’s Finance, Wonder World cannot afford any significant debt service in the first few years after new construction, so taking on other loans would be detrimental to the project.
The Wonder World Board, with the help of other locals who are passionate about keeping the childcare center in Murray County, have continued to seek funding sources.
An April deadline has been handed down by St. Ann’s. The Wonder World Board has been told they are expected to show significant progress in their fundraising efforts by that date, but what that exact progress is has not been relayed to the board. They just know that if it is met, the lease to stay at the church while construction takes place would be extended to July 2027.
Anyone interested in donating to the capital campaign can get more information at www. wonderworldpreschool.org. According to the Wonder World Facebook page, people 70 ½ or older can make a charitable gift directly from their IRA to Wonder World, which can count toward their Required Maximum Distribution.
The Makotah Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride not only retraces the painful events of the past, but it also symbolizes hope and understanding and serves as a healing process for both Dakota and non-Dakota people.
“It’s about introducing our youth to the history and atrocity that occurred,” said Peltier. “We pray for better understanding, healing, peace and reconciliation, not only for our people, but for everyone.”
As the ride approaches its final destination of Mankato on December 26, Peltier hopes that this year’s ride will be a powerful experience, especially for the younger riders.
“We’ll be able to shake hands with those there and the young riders will be able to talk and let the people know that we’ve come a long way and it was done with humbleness, humility and reconciliation,” said Peltier. “It’s about coming together and becoming a family. Our Creator brought us all to Mother Earth and we’re all related. We can learn from each other.”
While the ride is a spiritual and emotional experience, it is not without its challenges. Despite these challenges, Peltier says that the support from communities along the route, including donations of hand warmers, scarves, gloves, hay and other supplies, helps keep the riders going.
For those who would like to help the group, there is always a need for supplies. Anyone willing to donate can reach out to the Makotah Reconciliation and Healing Horse Ride organizers along the route.
