Miamisburg Celebrates Daycare’s 20th Anniversary

Story by Lynda Seidel

Miamisburg church members and guests recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their daycare ministry, the Miamisburg Christian Learning Center (MCLC), with a special commemorative service.

The daycare opened in the Miamisburg church November 30, 1998, only a year after the new church was built on the Sycamore Medical Center campus. Builders gave special attention to exit doors and sinks in each classroom, a commercial kitchen, playground equipment and other details to meet the daycare requirements.

Director Beverly Martin’s professional leadership has been key to the daycare’s success since its inception 20 years ago. In special recognition for her service, Dave Seidel, MCLC Board chair, presented Martin with an inscribed plaque at the event.

As Miamisburg Pastor Lori Farr presented Martin with a flower bouquet, she noted, “[Bev] has a real connection with the children and loves each one of them.” For the past 20 years, hundreds and possibly thousands of children have been part of the daycare family. Martin said, “I sometimes get to attend graduations and weddings for former students, now all grown up.”

Later, Martin unveiled the Nathan Greene portrait, “Storytime,” given to her as a keepsake for her multifaceted service, which through the years has included administration of finances and staff, classroom teaching, kitchen assistance, cleaning and even driving the bus, as needed.

Former students Jones Lindo and Hayden Seidel helped celebrate with piano solos, and current MCLC children sang for their visiting families, staff and church family. Sarah Velazquez, a former staff member, traveled from Michigan to tell the children a special story.

When Kettering church members planted the Miamisburg church fellowship in 1979, no one could envision the journey it would take. Seidel notes that MCLC not only serves the community and the Kettering Health network employees, but was key in paying off the new church building just 10 years after it was built.