Sheldon Afterschool to host rally

The Sheldon Afterschool Program will sponsor a Lights On Afterschool rally on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m., in the school cafeteria.

The rally will be one of more than 7,500 such events around the nation that day, the 11th annual Lights On Afterschool, organized by the Afterschool Alliance. The alliance will call for expanding after school opportunities so that every child who needs a program has access to one. A petition will be available at the event for parents and supporters to sign that urges lawmakers not to deny or divert funding for afterschool programs.

The event will highlight three of the significant contributions that the after school program makes to Sheldon: keeping kids safe and healthy, inspiring them to learn, and relieving working parents of worries about their children's activities during the afternoon hours. During the rally the students will perform and a Virginia ham supper, prepared by Sheldon students, will be served.

The Sheldon Afterschool opened in 2004 with a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education. It now serves more than 100 children, providing homework assistance, tutoring, academic enrichment, recreation, nutrition, karate, field trips and other activities. The program has several area partners including: Cottey College, Osage Prairie YMCA, Plaza Theater, local churches, The City of Sheldon, Vernon County Health Department, Barton County Hospital and the University of Missouri Extension.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs. More information on Lights On Afterschool is available at www.afterscoolalliance.org.