Dear Editor,I am writing to congratulate the licensed child-care providers in Garfield County who received funding from the Colorado Child Care Improvement fund and to encourage tax payers to contribute to this fund. The Colorado Child Care Improvement Fund provides grants to child care programs that are committed to promoting children’s early learning. The following home providers were funded: Lesley Gorman, Pamela Salaz, and Susan Hirro. The following Centers were also funded: Yampah Mountain Children’s Center, Our School Inc., Duncan’s Funhouse, Mt. Sopris Montessori School, and Blue Lake Preschool. These programs brought a total of $12,000 into the early childhood community in Garfield County and the Roaring Fork Valley. These grants are made possible by taxpayers donations. Your tax-deductible contribution to the Child Care Improvement Fund supports school readiness and increases the quality of care Colorado’s children receive.In one year alone, these grants provided Colorado Child Care Providers funding for:-Training and education for 235 child-care professionals-12 playground improvement projects-Learning materials such as block sets and other toys to 68 programs-11 literacy centers and over 500 children’s books-National accreditation of nine child-care facilities-Materials for 40 science centers-Music and rhythm supplies for 55 child-care programsGiving is easy, just check off for Child Care on line 34 of your state income tax form. Remember this money does come back to help the children of our community.Sincerely,Karla StukeyCarbondale