National Lights On Afterschool Program Celebration

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will host a National Lights on Afterschool Program Celebration at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Douglass Elementary School, 101 S. Eucalyptus St. Guest speaker will be City Council Representative Cortney Niland.

The Lights On Celebration is in the 14^th year of existence as a way to highlight the many business and civic partners and volunteers around the country that make this program a success. On the local level Afterschool programs keep children safe, help working families and also inspire learning.

The Parks and Recreation Department administers afterschool programs at the following elementary public schools in the city, Ascarate, Burleson, Coldwell, Cooley, Crosby, Del Valle, Douglass, Dowell, Moreno, Roberts, Rusk, Stanton and Vilas.

Recreation Centers offering the afterschool programs are Armijo, Carolina, Chihuahuita, Don Haskins, Galatzan, Gary del Palacio, Leona Ford Washington, Marty Robbins, Nolan Richardson, Pat O’Rourke, Pavo Real, Rae Gilmore, San Juan, Seville and Veterans Centers.

The Braden Aboud Foundation has donated monies to many civic causes in the community including the Parks and Recreation After School Program. Braden Aboud a popular student at Lincoln Middle School passed away in January of 2007 and his family created the Braden Aboud Foundation shortly thereafter.

El Paso Parks and Recreation Interim Director Tracy Novak will also be a guest speaker along with Rep. Niland and Alonzo Barraza, Principal, at Douglass Elementary School. The festivities will be highlighted by Miss El Paso USA and Miss El Paso Teen USA in attendance along with UTEP athletes and cheerleaders.