On Base Afterschool Programs

Gretchen Wright
October 14, 2005 202/371-1999
Lights On Afterschool Is On BaseAfterschool Programs on Military Bases Join National Rally

This month, military installations across the country and around the world will host events as part of the sixth annual Lights On Afterschool, the nation's largest rally for afterschool.

Programs will open their doors to tell their communities about the academic and enrichment activities they offer children. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is the National Presenting Sponsor of Lights On Afterschool, which is organized by the Afterschool Alliance."We are proud to play a leading role in our nation's largest rally for afterschool," said Wynn Watkins, Chairman of the Board of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.

"Each year more and more of America's families turn to quality afterschool programming to keep their children safe and constructively engaged during out-of-school hours. Consequently, the Lights On Afterschool annual events continue to build in terms of participation and impact.
Our organization is honored to support Lights On and pleased to see the growing attention it brings to this very important issue."

Lights On events being held on military bases include:U.S. Army Bennett Youth Center on the Schofield Base in Hawaii will hold an open house with a carnival theme on October 19 from 3:00 to 5:30 pm to promote the Center's services with the families on the base. The open house will feature information booths, as well as face painters, bouncers and carnival games.

For more information, contact Sam Thompson, US Army Bennett Youth Center, 808-655-4641.

Hanscom Air Force Base Youth Center in Massachusetts will hold an open house on October 20 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm that will feature arts and crafts, cooking, dance and Ultimate Basketball. The children will earn "Power Points" for each activity they complete and use those points to buy prizes at the Power Point Prize Fair.

For more information, contact Julie Fredrick, Hanscom AFB Youth Center, 781-377-o226.

Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota will host an open house on October 20 at 4:30 pm at which afterschool students will make presentations addressing why they like their afterschool program and program staff will speak about the importance of afterschool.

For more information contact Amy Cook, Ellsworth AFB Youth Center, 605-787-9176.

On October 20 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, the Lackland Air Force Base Youth Programs in San Antonio, Texas will celebrate Lights On Afterschool by kicking-off "Fit Factor," a program for youth ages nine to 18. Afterschool students will receive achievement awards and parents and others will have an opportunity to learn more about afterschool activities at information booths.

For more information, contact Joanna Rios, Lackland AFB Youth Programs, 210-671-2510.

"That such diverse communities come together to celebrate Lights On Afterschool is a tribute to the reach and power of the issue," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant.

"On military bases and farming communities, in small towns and big cities, people are coming together to say that our children need more of the afterschool programs that keep kids safe, help working families and inspire children to learn."

Lights On Afterschool began in October 2000 with 1,200 events across the country. Last year, more than half a million people rallied at 7,000 events to show their support for afterschool programs. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is National Chair of Lights On Afterschool, a position he has held since 2001.

A complete list of Lights On events is available online here

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization supported by a group of public, private, and nonprofit entities working to ensure that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010.

More information is available at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/.

The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports programs designed to keep kids safely and constructively engaged during out-of-school time. The Fund's contributions allow for the creation and continuance of afterschool programs aimed at the academic, physical, and social development of children throughout the U.S. The JCPenney Afterschool Fund also works to raise awareness of the benefits of afterschool programming, and is committed to ensuring that every child has access to the world of opportunities that awaits them after school.