First Environments Early Learning Center's goal is to provide daycare services for children whose parents are federal employees working in the Research Triangle Park area and contractors on the EPA/NIEHS campus, with a limited number of daycare positions open to the general public. First Environments is a non-profit organization. Donations and parent support are an integral part of providing services to the public.
Support is welcome from parents, alumni, staff, and community organizations. FEELC has a rich history of partnership with local groups, especially those supporting sustainability and environmental education. We welcome your inquiries if you have additional ideas and means of support; a few of the ongoing programs of particular interest to parents are listed below.
FEELC Amazon Wish lists
Donate items directly to your child’s classroom or to our Center via our Amazon Wish List! (Pro tip: https://smile.amazon.com/ can be used here too!!)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to email Amy Walters (awalters@firstenvironments.org) whenever you make a purchase so that the donation can be delivered to the proper classroom.
Amazon Wish List Links
Matching Contribution Challenge for the First Environments Scholarship Program
Double your impact today by contributing to the First Environments Scholarship Fund! The Philpot family has generously agreed to match donations of up to $1,000 each year for the next three years to encourage donors to make contributions to our Scholarship Fund, which helps provide tuition assistance for those in need.
To make a donation, please click on the following link to complete and submit our Donation Form.
Donation Drive for the Sustainability Fund
Help to ensure the sustainability of First Environments through a tax-deductible donation to our Sustainability Fund, which is used to ensure continuous operations of our Center during times of financial hardship.
To make a donation, please click on the following link to complete and submit our Donation Form.
Link your Harris Teeter VIC card to help raise funds for FEELC while you shop!
Starting August 1st of each year, parents and community members are able to link their VIC cards to First Environments’ Together in Education school code #5469. When customers purchase select Harris Teeter Brand products using their VIC card, Harris Teeter contributes a percentage of those purchase dollars to FEELC.
This one time sign up process must take place EACH SCHOOL YEAR starting on August 1st since the school of your choice is linked to your VIC card only until May 31st of each year.
There are multiple ways to link your VIC card to "First Environments Early Learning Center" using School Code #5469. You can simply visit the Harris Teeter TIE Program website, request to link your card at your local Harris Teeter store.
Transitioning Onward
Each family paid an enrollment deposit upon entering FEELC. Making a donation of the deposit to the FEELC Tuition Scholarship Fund and/or the FEELC Sustainability Fund is a wonderful way to support FEELC programs for future students.
SOMETHING ELSE?
To support First Environments beyond the methods listed above, please contact the Executive Director, Amy Walters at 919.541.1461 or at awalters@firstenvironments.org. We welcome your ideas!
Last updated: 02/4/2026