Perry’s Academic Cultural and Enrichment Services program is joining more than 8,000 communities from across the country in celebrating National Lights On Afterschool next week.

Director Mary Hillman explains the purpose of the celebration

“It’s to really advocate for the need for a before and after school program, really honestly at every school.  It’s to support those working families and those students so they have a safe place to be, with appropriate adult role models and still learning after school.  Just getting that building open that families are already paying taxes on.”

Two primary events are scheduled to celebrate the occasion. Wednesday is the Pledges for PACES fundraising walk and Thursday is the annual Lights On Afterschool celebration.  We’ll have more with Hillman next week on our Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program.