Perry’s Academic, Cultural, and Enrichment Services, or PACES program, will be hosting its annual two-day celebration of before and after school programming this week, and the community is invited to this year’s “Lights On After School.”

The first part of the event will be held Wednesday, with the “Pledges for PACES” walk around the Perry High School track. The public is encouraged to donate what they can, either per lap or a flat amount, with all the proceeds benefiting the self-funded program. PACES Director Mary Hillman says this is their biggest fundraiser of the year, and directs people to any of the school offices, the Perry Public Library, Chamber of Commerce, and McCreary Community Building to pick up a pledge form. The walk will run from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and the community is welcome to cheer them on.

The celebration will continue Thursday night from 5-6 p.m. with the “Lights On After School” rally program. The event will be held in the elementary’s multipurpose room, and will include speeches from various individuals, awards for the coloring, poster, and essay contests, and the always popular talent show. It will wrap up with a beef burger supper. Hillman adds, the festivities will have special significance, as PACES is celebrating a milestone. “What is very important about this year is that we are celebrating our 20th anniversary! And I can’t believe it, because it’s just gone by so quickly and we’ve just improved every year, and it’s really great to be celebrating 20 years of providing services to our students and families in Perry.”

To learn more about “Lights On After School” and the PACES program, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.