With the lights on, it's less dangerous Schools rally to support after-school programs in annual event BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer COURTESY OF ROBIN GOODRICH About 70 elementary-school children from the Woodbridge Child Care Center and the Little Fiddler Academy joined 7,500 after-school programs nationwide in October as part of the eighth annual Lights On Afterschool Rally held in the parking lot of Avenel Street School 4 and 5 in Woodbridge. WOODBRIDGE - About 70 elementary children from the Woodbridge Child Care Center and the Little Fiddler Academy joined 7,500 after-school programs nationwide as part of the eighth annual Lights On Afterschool Rally held in the parking lot of Avenel Street School 4 and 5. Lights On Afterschool, which is chaired by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is celebrated nationwide to support and call attention to the importance of after-school programs for America's children, families and communities. "The purpose of a rally like this is to bring to the public eye the true need for quality after-care programs for these children," said Robin Goodrich, director at the Woodbridge Child Care Center. Mayor John E. McCormac joined Goodrich, the children, who attend Avenel Street School 4 and 5, William Lovett, CEO of the Metuchen-Edison- Woodbridge YMCA, and Sherrill Rudy, executive director of the Woodbridge YMCA at the rally on Oct. 17, which featured a DJ and a healthy snack for the children. "It's important these children have a safe place because not every child has a safe place to go," said Lovett. Lights on Afterschool was launched in October 2000 by the Afterschool Alliance with celebrations in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. The event grew in 2001 to more than 3,600 events and more than 7,500 in 2006. This October, one million Americans will celebrate Lights on Afterschool. "Just two [after-care] centers were represented that afternoon," said Goodrich. "Multiply that number by the number of schools across the country and you can see the great demand. These children and their families need us and we need to make sure the public understands the importance of our program," said Goodrich. The Woodbridge Child Care Center, which is held at Avenel School 4 and 5, is a branch of the Metuchen-Edison- Woodbridge YMCA, the largest provider of child-care services in Middlesex County. In early 2004, the Center began offering child-care services for school-age children, primarily enrolled in Avenel Street School 4 and 5. The program has grown over the years and now before and after school programs are offered to approximately 60 children. The program offers the children healthy snacks, homework time, organized physical activities and games. "It is designed to develop the mind, body, and spirit of every child," said Goodrich. "It's almost our third year and it has been pretty successful." For more information about the Lights On Afterschool Rally or about the YMCA School Age programs, contact Director Robin Goodrich at (732) 636-1100.