After 70 years of educating youth, the preschool of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora closed in March 2022.
The school’s legacy will continue to be felt with grants totaling $2,000 to help church staffers provide youth and family programs.
Sunday, March 26, Paula Loague, preschool board president, presented $1,000 checks to Michelle Curiel and Thew Elliott.
Curiel is director of praise and worship/children and family; Elliott is director, traditional worship.
Loague made the presentations during worship services at 9:30 a.m. online and at in-person worship at 10:30 a.m..
At the 10:30 a.m. service, she was joined by preschool board members Lynn Burnett, Kathy Breazeale, Shirley McKnight and Carolyn Jones.
Other board members are Laurie Studdard, Kelly McCleary, Marilyn Ruby, Vicki Martin, Carol Stoffel and Judy Brown.
Loague said, “After 70 years of providing high-quality education to the Aurora community, this decision (to close) was difficult and sad.
“However, today I am here with some good news. At our meeting on March 21, the preschool board voted to continue the legacy of Wesley Preschool through providing gifts to (church) programs that support children and families.
“We are presenting checks to Michelle Curiel and Thew Elliott to help fund their work with children of Aurora.
“On behalf of the Wesley preschool board and the families of the Aurora area (we) thank you.
“Their creativity, hard work and compassion is very much appreciated.
“The preschool board wants to make sure that this can continue,” Loague said.
At 14 N. May Street in Aurora, Wesley holds worship services at 9:30 a.m. online and in-person at 10:30 a.m..
Reverend John Bell is senior pastor.
The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
Call 630-896-1033 or visit wesleyumcaurora.org for more information.
—Al Benson