Photo Credit: Drone footage by Koale Litwinow
By Shianne Nemeth, WestCentralOnline.com
There is something pretty special about watching an idea take root, grow, and finally make its way out of the field.
For the Biggar Daycare Expansion Project, that is exactly what has happened.
Earlier this year, Koale and Robin Litwinow of Litwinow Acres agreed to donate the use of 80 acres of farmland to help raise money for the community’s planned 90-space daycare expansion.
Now, the crop has been taken off the field and delivered to the elevator to be sold.
The final fundraising total won’t be known until later this fall, but the project says the amount raised through the crop-share will be announced Nov. 14 at the Biggar Daycare annual November gala.
What began with a conversation in February has turned into a community effort that brought together farmers, agricultural businesses, and others who wanted to see the project succeed.
According to the daycare expansion project, when the idea was brought to Litwinow, his response was immediate: “Anything for the kids of our community.”
That simple yes has now grown into a harvest.
Koale and Robin are raising three children of their own, and they know firsthand how important reliable childcare is for young families.
Koale has said that their oldest child is in Grade 2, and finding childcare around school and work schedules can be difficult.
“There are just so many young families in Biggar looking for childcare and there’s simply not enough room in the current daycare,” he said.
The planned expansion, including before- and after-school programming, could make a significant difference for families like theirs.
Koale also knows that giving up the proceeds from 80 acres is a meaningful contribution, particularly for a young farming family still building its own operation.
But he said the daycare is important enough to make it worthwhile. “It’s just something to give back to the community,” he said.
Robin and Koale Litwinows’ donation was only the beginning.
Beyond the Seed Ag, Brett Young, Pioneer, Clayton’s Air Spray, The Polsfut Brothers, GV Signs, Josh Woloshyn, Western Sales, Golden View Signs, and The Rack all became part of the effort, contributing seed, crop inputs, equipment, application services, and signage.
The project is also recognizing volunteers including Keaton Donahue, Josh Woloshyn, Greg Hannay, Terry and Shannan Desrosiers, Mike McGregor, Catlin Heather, Al Crozan, and Bill and Karen Litwinow,
The result is a great example of what can happen when a community decides that a project matters.
The daycare expansion project says it is proud of everyone who helped turn the original idea into reality, and thankful for the impact the fundraiser could have on local children and families for years to come.
For now, the crop is out of the field. The work is not quite finished, though.
The community will have to wait until Nov. 14 at the Biggar Daycare’s Annual Gala to find out just how much those 80 acres ultimately raised.
One thing is already clear: what started as a simple “yes” from one young farming family has grown into something much bigger than a crop.
