[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 178 (Monday, October 30, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5228-S5229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING CRAYONS 2 PENCILS

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize 
Crayons 2 Pencils of Norwalk, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week during National Women's Small Business Month and National Veterans 
Small Business Week.
  Owned and operated by husband and wife duo Matt and Jill Larsen in 
Norwalk, IA, Crayons 2 Pencils is an early learning center and 
recreation center providing childcare services to the Norwalk 
community. Following her career in corporate America, Jill's start in 
early childhood learning and development was in 2008, when she taught 
13 kids in her home. In 2015, Jill partnered with her friend Cindy 
Gavin to use the same childcare curriculum in each of their homes. In 
2016, Jill and Cindy were able to move their childcare operation into 
one location when they opened the Crayons 2 Pencils Early Childhood 
Center. Over the years, they have grown to 63 employees, with 
additional positions available over the summer months. Crayons 2 
Pencils currently provides care to 281 children.
  In 2020, Matt joined Crayons 2 Pencils full-time as a jack-of-all-
trades driving the school bus, organizing construction projects, and 
handling the technology and security systems. In 2022, Crayons 2 
Pencils opened the Crayons 2 Pencils Recreation Center, which serves 
preschool through third grade and is equipped with a gym, sand 
volleyball court, stage, and additional classrooms. In 2023, Crayons 2 
Pencils celebrated their seventh business anniversary.
  Service to our country is integral to the Larsen family. Matt has 
served in the Iowa Air National Guard for 18 years and was deployed to 
Iraq. Following in Matt's footsteps, their son Jayden also serves in 
the Iowa Air National Guard, in addition to being a member of Iowa 
State University's Spirit Squad with his sister Joslyn.
  Crayons 2 Pencils is also actively involved in the Norwalk community. 
They are active members of the Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce, being 
one of the sponsors of the second annual Celebrate Norwalk Party in 
City Park in 2023 and hosting the Norwalk Career Fair in 2021. They 
have also served as a valuable resource to other childcare centers in 
the area by mentoring and teaching courses on childcare to directors 
and employees.
  Crayons 2 Pencil's commitment to providing outstanding childcare 
services in Norwalk, IA, is clear. I want to congratulate Matt and Jill 
Larsen and the entire team at Crayons 2 Pencils for their continued 
dedication. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success 
in Iowa.

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