Gilmer County Boys & Girls Club to Hold Lights On Afterschool Rally October 20

Media Release: 8,000 Rallies Nationwide Aim to Make Afterschool Programs Available to All

The Gilmer County Boys & Girls Club (Three Rivers Club) afterschool program will sponsor a Lights On Afterschool open house on Thursday, October 20. The open house will be one of more than an expected 8,000 such events across America as part of Lights On Afterschool, the annual nationwide celebration of afterschool programs organized by the Afterschool Alliance. This year, Lights On Afterschool will highlight youth voices in the upcoming national election, encouraging kids to share their thoughts with the next president and teaching them about our electoral process.

This event is to call for expanding afterschool opportunities so that every child who needs a program has access to one, and showcase the benefits of afterschool programs, including inspiring children to learn, keeping them safe in the hours when juvenile crime peaks, and providing relief to working families. At the event, parents and supporters will sign have the opportunity to sign a petition that urges lawmakers not to deny or divert funding for afterschool programs.

The event will spotlight the range of programming available at the Three Rivers Club, including academic support, physical fitness, the arts, building strong community and those featuring community partners such as Master Gardeners and 4H. Parents, supporters and community members are expected to attend.

• What: Gilmer County Boys & Girls Club, Three Rivers Club, Lights On Afterschool Open House
• When: Thursday, October 20 from 4 – 6pm
• Where: Civic Center, 1559 South Main Street, Ellijay

For more information about the Gilmer County Boys & Girls Club, visit their website www.bgcng.org.
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.afterschoolalliance.org.