The Borrego Springs Children's Center has, for two decades, filled the niche of providing child-care services for working parents who have children in between the ages of 18 months and first grade. They are cared for by a paid staff under the direction of director Connie Walasek.

It is the only licensed day care center serving the communities of Borrego Springs, Warner Springs, Ranchita, Shelter Valley and Ocotillo Wells.

The center is open 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The board of directors includes Elaine Tulving, president; Vice President Abby King, Treasurer Kathy Dice and directors at large Dennis Nourse and Jean Stewart. The board meets the third Thursday, of the month, 5:30 p.m. from September-May. It doesn't meet during the summer and the center is closed then because there are not enough children to keep it open.

Elaine Tulving, board president, tells us that Connie Walasek, has held the director's job for 18 years. "That's something that we're very thrilled about and honored that she has been here that long," she says She explains that children can be occasional drop-ins or full time. "We can accommodate all schedules. During the season, when so many of our families have both parents working, these children need a safe environment and a socialization and educational environment. I feel that this fills a great need in our community. It far exceeds a babysitting service."

The center works closely with the Borrego Springs Boys & Girls Club to provide complementary programs. The center's pre-school programs has small classrooms so that it can give individualized attention to help the development of children in preparation for when they enter school.

Fees paid by the families, by the Children's Center Thrift Store and by donations from community organizations that do fund-raisers for it support the center. An example is the golf tournament put on annually by the Roadrunner Club. The center also receives donations from the Burnand Foundation.

The center also holds several fund-raising events such as the Pamper My Mommy raffle, which coincides with Honor Mom Day. Massages and dinners out are among the prizes that drawings are held for.

The thrift shop, run by volunteers Cal and Celina, carries clothing for men, women and children; toys, puzzles, appliances, home décor, crafts and books. The store is located at 721 Avenida Sureste. Phone number is 760-767-4608.