Photo: Little Hands Daycare/Credit: Hiawatha Community Foundation 

 

(KNZA)--Little Hands in Hiawatha is asking the community for help raising $100,000 to reopen its childcare center following mold contamination that forced it to close in August.

An HVAC failure allowed humid air into the building, resulting in widespread mold. The system has been repaired, and cleanup and remediation work is underway.

The recovery effort is estimated to cost $100,000, with half going toward mold remediation and cleaning and the other half for reconstruction and repairs.

The center's insurance claim was denied in September, leaving the nonprofit responsible for finding the money to restore the building.

Little Hands has served the community since 2012, with more than 90 children depending on its services. The board is now working toward a November 30th reopening.

Donations can be made through the Hiawatha Community Foundation website at hiawathacf.org.  Community members can also help through gifts of grain, appreciated stock, items from an Amazon wish list or volunteer work.