WASHINGTON, D.C. – A local Navy Yard restaurant is set to host a fundraiser to support a daycare that was damaged in an explosion that occurred in Southeast D.C. on January 18, 2024. The Baby Einstein Child Development Center was severely affected when a neighboring convenience store exploded following a gas leak, leaving the community feeling its absence.
The owner of Auga 301 in Navy Yard, Stephen Briggs, is organizing the fundraiser on Monday, February 5th to raise money for Regina Snead, the owner of Baby Einstein Child Development Center. The daycare has been operating in a temporary space since January 25th, and the community is rallying together to support its recovery efforts.
Briggs, emphasizing the importance of community support, aims to donate 25% of every check from the fundraiser to Baby Einstein’s recovery efforts. This initiative has garnered support from local business owners, including Traci Johnson, a realtor with Compass, who is also involved in organizing the fundraiser.
Reflecting on the impact of the explosion, Briggs expressed empathy as both a business owner and a father, recognizing the significance of daycare for parents. The valiant efforts of the teachers who safely evacuated 16 children from the daycare when the gas leak was detected were also acknowledged, highlighting the trauma of the incident.
The fundraiser not only aims to provide financial support but also stands as a symbol of community solidarity in the face of adversity. The event serves as an opportunity for the community to come together and show their support for the recovery of Baby Einstein Child Development Center. Snead expressed her gratitude for the owners for putting together the event, as the daycare continues to await updates from fire officials on the investigation.