Published: November 05, 2009 09:58 am      

Boys and Girls Club, J.C. Penney team up for Lights On After School

Thanks to funds raised through a recent “Round-Up” program at J.C. Penney in West Hill Mall, local children in need will continue to have access to after school programming at the Boys and Girls Club of Walker County.

The club is the J.C. Penney After School Fund partner.

From April to August, J.C. Penney customers were invited to “round-up” their J.C. Penney purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to local after school programs that provide at-risk children access to life-enriching activities that inspire children to be smart, strong and socially responsible, according to Michelle McKenzie, the club’s executive director.

“With the $980.35 raised from J.C. Penney’s at West Hill Mall recent ‘Round-Up’ program, even more children can benefit from Boys & Girls Club of Walker County after school programs,” McKenzie said. “We appreciate J.C. Penney’s support as we work towards our goal of providing high-quality programs that provides academic, physical and social development for children in Walker County.”

J.C. Penney’s Round-Up program was held in conjunction with Boys and Girls Club of Walker County and Home Depot event to celebrate Lights On Afterschool, the largest national After School awareness day with more than 7,500 local events taking place throughout the nation.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the rally, Boys and Girls Club of Walker County and Home Depot in Huntsville organized an open house at each location showcasing our programs and services.

Other Lights On After School events across the country included student performances, open houses, art and essay contests, art displays, tree lightings and carnivals.

As part of Lights On After School this year, J.C. Penney and the After School Alliance released results from America After 3PM: A Household Survey on After School in America, the most in-depth study ever done to explore how America’s children spend their afternoons.

Sponsored by the J.C. Penney After School Fund, a public charity that inspires children to be smart, strong and socially responsible, the study measures progress and includes updated information on after school participation nationally and in all 50 states.

“Lights On After School is an exciting event that honors the importance of after school programs for America’s children, families and communities,” said Mike Elder. “Based on results from the America After 3PM survey, 43 percent of children in Texas access after school programs – a higher figure than ever before.

“However, we know we need to do more to keep up with the rising demand of after school programs locally. We look forward to continuing our strong, long term commitment to this issue and appreciate our customers for their support of this worthy cause.”