Salem Elementary Childcare took about 85 children to the local skating rink to celebrating Light's On While there the children played games like the limbo and the dice game.Some of our student's parents joined in the fun with us. All the children and the childcare staff wore the green afterschool awareness bracelets and Afterschool for All stickers while skating. Some our students had never skated or had been to the skating rink before. We had a awesome time celebrating Light's On.

The small community of Darby, Montana celebrated the National Lights On Event with the theme of Water & Wood. Water showcasing what the after school students were learning about Lighthouses and Wood showcasing the Montana version in Fire Lookouts. Three organization came together to plan and execute the event: the after school program known as X-TREME Team, the Darby PTA and the Darby School Family Center. Close to 200 students and parents came to participate in games such as Lighthouse Scavenger Hunt, Color Me Light Bulb, Listen & Learn activity about Lighthouses and Lookouts and (the most popular) Musical Beach Towels. All the children received free books and a delicious homemade meal of chili and/or chicken noodle soup was enjoyed by everyone. Just days before the event, a tragedy took place in Darby. A woman who was a cashier in the only grocery store in town died suddenly of a massive stroke. She left behind three young children, a husband and massive medical bills due to trying to save her life. The community and the students were in shock. It was decided that the Lights On Over Wood & Water committee would gather donations to give to the family in their time of tragedy. This small community of people came together that night to celebrate the success of after school programs and raised well over $500 to donate to one of their own families in need. All-in-all, the event was a huge success. Everyone went home with something in their hands as well as their hearts!