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Childcare Resources of Indian River celebrated another successful Starfest on February 10, its signature fundraising event dedicated to strengthening early childhood education. With the support of nearly 400 attendees across the luncheon and evening celebration, Starfest once again rallied the community around the urgent need to invest in young children and working families.

Shannon McGuire Bowman, Executive Director of Childcare Resources, emphasized the broader impact of the program. “Supporting early educators beyond our own classrooms allows us to extend our mission far beyond the walls of our school,” she said. “By investing in educators in our community, we are reaching more children with high-quality early learning experiences and helping to build a stronger foundation for lifelong success."

For more than a decade, the Holiday Wishlist Program has matched donors with children’s wish lists, easing the financial burden many families face during the holidays while creating moments of magic for young children.

“The good that comes out of guided play is ways we engage children to learn beyond content,” says Dr. Oliveira. “Play exists on a spectrum, ranging from free exploration to guided activities that help children build new skills.”

The evening featured guest speaker Rachel Ludwig, Vice President of Talent Development at the Florida Chamber Foundation. She shared strategies to strengthen Florida’s workforce by showing how investing in early learning helps address challenges long before they reach the workplace.