By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
VANDALIA - "The Race for the States" is very popular, said Carolyn Kelly, of the geography game played after school at the John D. Cooper Community Youth Center, which opened in October.
On Mondays and Tuesdays after school, until 6 p.m. adult volunteers offer recreation and enrichment to those who come to the center which is next to the town hall.
A part-time worker from the AARP, Pauline (Gleason) Mims, serves snacks and will be showing the children how to crochet.
Rosalie Puckett was showing the students how to make baskets using paper bags as a base.
As the numbers attending increase, and more high school students join in, "the older ones help the younger ones," said Kelly. "The little ones look up to them."
She hopes, when they have the right utensils and supplies in the kitchen, to add cooking classes. She would also like to see computer instruction and field trips.
She was a little unwilling though to help the one girl who asked for help with her math homework. "There are always those who will help with reading, but math is a different story."
Beverly Young, Vandalia Village President, was instrumental is starting the youth center, and in enlisting the aid of Kelly, her village treasurer.
More volunteers, and monetary donations are being sought, as are snacks and supplies. To help out, call the village hall at (269) 476-2344.