We need your help! Mercer County Head Start / Early Head Start is required to match 25% of our Federal grant in donated goods and services in order to meet Federal guidelines. Not meeting our match puts the program in danger of losing funding in future years. We need everyone's help to meet our match. There are numerous ways that you can donate to the program to help us (see below), both monetarily and through your volunteer time. Every dollar donated and hour spent helps us reach our goal.

Even more important than meeting a Federal report is the impact that your donation will have. Your charitable donation today will help Mercer County Head Start / Early Head Start to provide skills, equipment, food, and materials to engage our young children today. The children who will benefit from your donation are our future. Every donation that Mercer County Head Start / Early Head Start receives goes toward providing a Head Start to the lives and education of children who might not otherwise have a chance.

How Can I help?

Every little bit goes a long way towards making our program a success. Here are some ways that you can help us:

• Donate Time and Volunteer in the Classroom
  Children love to have visits in the classroom from policemen and women, doctors, artists, and firemen. They also love to take special trips to visit area businesses to see how pizzas are made, how doughnuts are made, and how apple trees grow.
   
• Volunteer a Service
  You may have a special skill that you would like to share with us that we do not know about. Please call our main office if you are interested and talk to a staff member today.
   
• Donate classroom supplies
  Things have a habit of breaking and wearing out over time. These things need to be replaced with new items, especially with little hands using them. Mercer County Head Start/Early Head Start will always welcome all donations, but if you are planning on purchasing new things for our classrooms, listed below are some item that we can really use right now. To make a donation, call our main office (724) 346-4482 and ask to speak with our Education Manager, Debbie Krawchyk.
  • Story books for children ages 3-5
  • Games (if in good condition)
  • CD’s/Video tapes
  • Extra clothing to keep in classrooms
     
• Dramatic Play clothing
  Children like to play 'Dress Up', and we need clothes for them to use. Items that we need include:
  • Shawls
  • Purses
  • High heeled shoes
  • Men’s shoes
  • Men’s ties
  • Men’s shirts
  • Uniforms (nurses, sports, cheerleading, etc)
  • Accessories (jewelry, belts, hats, etc.)
  • Old dance recital outfits
  • Old Halloween costumes
  • Aprons
  • Gloves/scarves
  • Dresses (esp. cocktail/party dresses)
  
  Please make sure that any items you donate are clean and in good condition with no safety issues. To make a donation, bring your items to the John Hetra building or call (724) 346-4482