Homework is a priority along with tender loving care for the students in the Tri-Towns After School Program.
Monday through Thursday, students in grades one through eight come to the downstairs of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont for the after school program.
On average, 30 kids attend the daily program which includes time for homework, a healthy meal and special activities each day.
Under the direction of Betty Ann Aronhalt, the staff includes seven foster grandparents, one teacher from Mineral County Schools, one retired teacher and about a dozen volunteers.
Together this group keeps the children busy from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For the children each day begins with homework and for the volunteers each day begins with prayer.
On Monday’s its physical education and Tuesday is story day and Girl Scouts. Wednesday brings music time and on Thursday volunteers from the Keyser High School Hi-Y visit to help where needed and the 4-H Club meets.
An agency of the Mineral County United Way, the program operates solely on donations.
Trinity Church donates the building space and the utilities and donations from individuals and churches make the day to day operations possible.
Donations of items that can be used by the children such as items for crafts, food for snack, plain white paper and lined paper, school supplies, display boards and more are also welcome and can be taken to the After School Program during regular hours of 3-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
As part of the incentive program children are urged to attend and participate and in return they earn rewards such as a trip to go bowling.
They have parties for the holidays, enrichment programs and learn values for living as they work with others.
In its 13th year, the program continues to grow and expand.
A wellness group has started with the volunteers and others coming in at 2 p.m. to do a walking video prior to the kid’s arrival.
The center has six internet computers thanks to a Verizon grant and an adult computer class is being planned for evenings.
Anyone interested in helping with the program or who would like to make a donation or learn more about the activities and events can call (301) 359-0692 or (304) 355-2089.