Fire Damages Two Classrooms at Valley Interfaith Child Care Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2026

For press inquiries contact: Bill King | 540-835-5586  | luthercm@gmail.com

Fire Damages Two Classrooms at Valley Interfaith Child Care Center

BLACKSBURG, VA — In the early morning hours of Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, there was a fire at the Valley Interfaith Child Care Center (VICCC) facility at Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren, located at the corner of Prices Fork and Heather Drive in Blacksburg. The fire resulted in heavy damage to two classrooms. Because it was a Sunday holiday, no children, teachers, or staff were present, and no one was harmed. The swift response of the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department along with a recent fire inspection and mitigation measures in place at the facility prevented the damage from being significantly worse. The Blacksburg Police Department also acted quickly and an investigation is underway.

VICCC and the Church it operates out of are moving quickly on all fronts — working with insurance adjusters, a cleaning crew, and rebuilding contractors — with the goal of returning to full operation as soon as possible. The organization's most immediate priority is ensuring that the children it serves have a safe place to learn and that the working families who depend on VICCC have reliable childcare throughout the rebuilding period. Steps are already underway to identify resources to support both families and programming during this time.

"This was a shock to all of us, but what has followed has been a reminder of why this work matters so much," said Bill King, Board President. "The response from this community has been immediate, and we are deeply grateful — to the Blacksburg Fire and Police Departments for their swift action, and to everyone who has reached out to offer support. Our focus right now is on our families. We will rebuild over the next couple of months, and we will come back stronger."

The New River Valley community has always been VICCC's greatest asset, and the outpouring of concern since Easter has been a reminder of just how broadly this organization is valued. Those who wish to help can do so through donations at https://www.valleyinterfaithchildcarecenter.org/donations. You may also contact Judy Shelor directly at viccccburg@verizon.net or 540-951-8101. Donations will go toward costs outside of insurance coverage and the continued support of VICCC's programming.

VICCC was founded in 2004 by a group of Blacksburg community members from local faith organizations who came together to address the pressing need in the New River Valley of affordable, high-quality childcare for low-income working families with infants and toddlers. Recognizing that the earliest years are the most critical to a child's development and long-term success, the group built VICCC as a not-for-profit with 501(c)(3) status, sustained by community contributions and a deep commitment to the families it serves. More than two decades later, that mission continues.