BY COLIN HICKEY

Staff Writer

Doris Buffett, sister of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, is a big believer in Educare.

Ask her why and she points to the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N.Y.

"I talked to the warden of that prison," she said in an interview last week, "and this is what he said. He said every inmate in Sing Sing had a miserable childhood -- every one. And I took that to heart."

Buffett sees Educare as a way to help children avoid a miserable childhood and thereby enhance their chances for a happy adult life.

Thus she didn't hesitate to contribute $3 million to the Educare Center planned for Waterville -- a project developed by the Greater Waterville Alliance for Early Care & Learning.

"I think this is the best," she said, "and I'm so happy the Alfonds are coming on board. This will make a difference, and I wish we could have them all over the country."

Doris Buffett, a summer resident of Maine, is not the first in her family to contribute to an Educare Center.

In fact, Doris Buffett said her niece, Susie Buffett, started an Educare Center in Omaha, Neb.

She said she visited the Omaha center and was sold on its value immediately.

Once convinced of the benefits of such facilities, Buffett said she took steps to encourage others to embrace the concept with her financial backing as an incentive.

"I always say I come up with the ideas and write the checks," she said.

Lauren Sterling, a key member of the Waterville Alliance, said Buffett's commitment to Educare is a byproduct of her compassion for those adults behind bars whom she visits.

"She explained to me the two things that she is involved in," Sterling said. "She gives up her personal time to go into these prisons and meet with adults to learn about them and understand them and also hopefully to encourage them and give them some hope.

"She invests her money in prenatal-to-age-5 quality learning and care because she is trying to have a systemic national impact on those prison incarceration numbers."

Colin Hickey -- 861-9205

chickey@centralmaine.com