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Foundation reaches out to help struggling parents

Star Beacon - 2/24/2021

Feb. 23—BY WARREN Dillaway

warren@starbeacon.com

ASHTABULA — Families struggling with day-to-day finances, escalated during a pandemic, got a bit of relief on Thursday when the Kendall Foundation wiped out child-care bills for 11 families.

Angela Kendall, founder of the foundation, has raised $90,000 to help area residents in the last six months.

"I am trying to do things that will have an immediate impact in the community," she said before handing a check for more than $16,000 to ABC Child Care and Learning Center Executive Administrator Larina Spring.

Kendall also took care of some future child-care bills for the families as well.

Kendall said she chose the day care center because of the her experiences at ABC Child Care and Learning Center when she had young children.

"I remember when my kids went here, I struggled," she said.

Kendall said she has been doing the fundraising through social media but hopes to have live events out in the community after the pandemic has loosened its grip.

"It is helpful in a lot of ways," said Zach McEndree, whose family was one of 11 who received financial assistance.

He said he has struggled financially during the pandemic and worked hard to pay the bills but it was not easy.

"Your day care [bills] got behind and nobody has $500 sitting around," he said.

"I would like to express my gratitude," he said before Kendall arrived. When they met they did an elbow-bump greeting.

Jackie Nerone said she recently got custody of a granddaughter.

"I work full time so this [the gift] is really helpful," she said.

Kendall wiped a few tears away when talking with the parents.

"It has all gone full circle. It feels really good," she said.

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