As the impact of the flood is still being felt across Ames, The University Community Childcare center at Schilletter & University Village ask for help from the community as their building is repaired.

The SUV Daycare Center, located in University Village, suffered severe damage from the flood earlier this month. The daycare center experienced 6-8 inches of water inside their building and was shut down.

More than 100 families could not send their children to daycare because of the shutdown, leaving families struggling to find an alternative location. 

Luckily, in time for school opening, the daycare found temporary housing at the Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation, opening daycare again Monday, Aug. 23. The church is providing the space in return for reimbursement of some utilities costs.

“We are doing extremely well. It was wonderful for [the church] to help us out,” said Penny Pepper, director of the University Childcare Center.

After hearing about the center’s plight, the church put together an emergency meeting to discuss and vote having the children stay at the church.

“With a church this big, sometimes it takes time to make a decision, but I’m glad that the church responded quickly to the daycare’s need,.” said Scott Grotewold, senior minister for the Collegiate Methodist Church.

So far the relocation is going smoothly, with children staying in the Sunday school room. While they haven’t had a Sunday school since the daycare relocated, the church doesn’t expect any major problems, Grotewold said.

The damages to the center were devastating, and the daycare will not open for at least another two months.

As they relocate into their temporary home, the center is also in the long process of cleaning and getting the regular center ready to have children back.

The center is removing 24 inches of drywall impacted by the high water, and sorting through what can be saved and what needs to be thrown out.

The list of items lost to flood damages included foam climbing blocks, a quadruple stroller and much of the shelving and furniture. While some items were disinfected and saved, much of their things had to be thrown out, Pepper said.

While it won’t replace the emotional value of the items lost in the flood, the daycare staff is asking for donations to replace the water damaged supplies, including toys, art supplies and cleaning supplies from members of the community for their temporary location.

Pepper said she has already had some response, and is hoping that more follows.

She will also be putting together a list for items needed for the kids’ return to the University Center. It will be available on their Facebook page.

Wish list of items needed at church site:

• Art supplies: markers, tape, construction paper, drawing paper — print on one side OK — glue, stickers, staples, spiral notebooks

• Cleaning and medical supplies: baby wipes, hand sanitizer, dish soap, roll paper towels, produce bags, disposable gloves, Clorox wipes, Band-Aids

• Miscellaneous: paper cups, plates and bowls, plastic forks and spoons, bottled water for staff, sticky notes, two-pocket folders, batteries, dry erase boards, hampers, laundry baskets, garbage cans, rugs

Playthings for use at church site:

• dress-up clothes, sand toys, fold-up rest mats, stuffed animals, baby dolls, baby toys: teethers, rattles, etc.

To donate items, you can contact the UCC director, Penny Pepper at: [email protected] or 515-294-1691.