The Hoodland Women’s Club made good on its promise to contribute to the community in the wake of its foiled attempt at creating a new community center. Out of the ashes rises the Mt. Hood Learning Center.

The HWC redirected $15,253 from donors and foundations to finance the
learning center and pre-school program and daycare facility at Welches
School. Fittingly, the check was presented July 25 on the school’s playground.

“We are grateful for these monies that have been donated by several
organizations,” said Alicia Sperr, president of Mt. Hood Learning Center. “We
are excited to put these monies to good use and to create a very needed
program for our community children.”

In the spring of 2013 the HWC saw its 12-year dream of building a new
community center come up short as costs exceeded monies raised by
$700,000. But the club was determined to make certain their efforts were not
in vain, and sent letters asking donors if they would redirect their
contributions to other projects.

Many donors agreed, and the learning center took flight.

“As a retired educator and grandma of school-aged children, I feel having the
pre-school program and the before and after-school daycare located in the
Welches School building is a great option for parents,” said Kay Baker of the
HWC. “The transition between pre-school and kindergarten will be more
seamless. Having before and after-school daycare available on site ... will open
options for working parents.”

The Mt. Hood Learning Center is a non-profit organization that was formed in
January 2014 by four local mothers who saw a need to provide a pre-school
and childcare program to be located at Welches School.

The community lost its facility a few years ago and Sperr, along with learning
center board members Maria Burke, vice president, Jocelyn Van Hee,
secretary, and Jessica Tagliafico, treasurer, contacted Welches School
Principal Kendra Payne, then approached Liz Claussen of the HWC, to assist in
their program.

“Once the Hoodland Women’s Club made the decision to cancel the plans on
the new community center, it was great to hear that they listed us as a
program to redirect those already donated funds to,” Sperr said.

The learning center is now enrolling and will open the doors Aug. 4. An open
house will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Aug.13, at Welches School.

For more information e-mail mthoodlc@gmail.com, or call Alicia Sperr at 503-
816-3389, or go to the website at www.mthoodlc.com.