The five roofs covering the 20,000 square feet of office space and classrooms need to be replaced in order to stop water intrusion that has caused interior damage to walls, ceilings and carpets.
WOODBURY -- The Woodbury Child Development Center staff worries whenever they get a heavy rainfall.
The non-profit center, which serves children 4 months to 12 years of age, operates out of an old school building on Carpenter Street that dates back to the days of segregation.
The five roofs covering the 20,000 square feet of office space and classrooms need to be replaced in order to stop water intrusion that has caused interior damage to walls, ceilings and carpets.
They have already raised $9,000 to replace the roof over the kitchen area, but that leaves four roofs still to fund.
The price tag is $50,000.
As soon as they have dry weather again, work will begin on the roof over the kitchen area, where water intrusion has shorted out a refrigerator and caused other damage.
Standing in the lobby, Joan Clark, treasurer of the center's board of directors, described the problems they face every time bad weather arrives.
"When this one leaks, water just pours in," she said as she stood near the main entrance.
"It literally comes pouring down the wall," she added, pointing to another spot.
After roofs are replaced, fundraising to replace interior elements damaged by water can begin.
The building began life as Carpenter Street School, later served as offices for the county health department and was then sold by the county to the child development center board for $1. Thanks to funds from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, the building was renovated in the 1990s.
Twenty years later, the roof work can no longer be delayed. Without new roofs, the services this facility provides could be endangered
"There are a lot of great programs here," said Pat Davis, who handles accounts payable at the center. "The kids are really great."
Davis stressed the center's value in providing a place for low-income families to bring their children.
More than 120 students attend the center, which operates all year long, providing daycare, pre-school, before- and after-school care and summer programs.
"Our mission is to provide safe childcare to low-income families so parents can go to work and better their lives," Clark said.
Clark and Davis pointed out damage in various parts of the building, including a stairwell that is closed off because of ceiling deterioration.
State officials have warned center operators that the roofs must be replaced.
"The state is really on our case, because it creates a safety issue ... the ceiling could collapse," Clark said.
At another stop, they showed off the recently created book nook, which suffered drywall and book damage after a new leak occurred.
Trouble is evident from the outside, too, where a section of facade above a row of windows bulges out from the wall because of water intrusion.
To address some of these issues, the center is in the midst of a basket fundraiser, with prizes including a PlayStation 4, $100 gift card and gift baskets. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the center. You don't have much time, though. The drawing is 6 p.m. on Monday
The center's board of trustees is planning monthly fundraisers, including coupon books, pizza and donut sales, a fall festival and wine and cheese event.
Those interested in donating for the roof replacement project can send a check or money order to the Woodbury Child Development Center, 36 Carpenter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information, call the center at 856-845-2243.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.