By Carol Pierson

Ecumenism is alive and well in Roswell. Because of the concerned efforts of some Christian people in the area, the North Fulton Child Development Association was born, providing a sorely needed day care center for youngsters.

The association is now in the midst of a fundraising drive to construct a building for the ecumenical venture which has received support and assistance from St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Roswell Presbyterian, Rivercliff Lutheran , Roswell Baptist and Roswell United Methodist.

It all began back in 1967 when a child in North Fulton county starved to death. Several women began to express their concern that the same tragedy could befall other children of the area. With an envelope containing $25 for supplies, a room in the Roswell Presbyterian Church, much love and many prayers, they launched a day care center.

Everyone a volunteer, food was brought to the small center from the homes of the volunteers and the children were cared for with no charges involved. Soon it became apparent that the welcome venture needed space and an abandoned school was rented for $1 per year. It is now the Grove Way Community Center.

The ladies soon asked for help in fixing up the old school and members of the community responded with paintbrushes, hammers and nails and the inevitable broom and bucket brigade. Funds were next on the list and the determined ladies first received a $10,000 grant form the Catholic Human Development Campaign of the U.S Bishops, followed by financial aid from HEW and donations from churches and clubs, among them the Roswell Lions Club, Roswell Women’s Club, Roswell Baptist Club and the Catholic Center at Georgia Tech.

There are currently 43 children between the ages of six months and six years cared for at the center, with an additional 19 on the waiting list. The children receive a hot meal each noon furnished by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For many, it is their only hot meal of the day.

The entire project is a story of love and kindness. The women, all of whom wish to remain anonymous, are an inspiration in caring. Their young charges receive feeding, teaching and loving but in addition they are taken to the county health clinic for such needed things as checkups, inoculations and eye examinations. There is even a volunteer physician on call for emergencies.

One volunteer donated money she had received as an appreciation gift from her co-workers to purchase small cots for the children.

The present drive for a new building is a much needed one as the current site is rapidly deteriorating and beyond renovation. Yet it is a haven for some bright-eyed youngsters who have found reasons to smile. Additional information on the center, as well as the drive for funds, may be obtained through Lillian McNair at the association.