By By Arthur McLean
The YMCA will soon be adding to its after school program thanks to a grant it sought and recently received.
The Atmore YMCA received a $25,000 grant from Kentucky Fried Chicken's charity, Colonel's Kids for its afterschool program.
The program sees about 20-25 children on average in the program that runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children come to the center located behind the Lions Community Center where they receive help with their homework, have playtime and a balanced snack, all under professional supervision.
The grant will be used to buy six new computers, provide more training for the afterschool staff, and help provide general renovations to the afterschool building, said Deborah Hammons, capital campaign chairman for the Atmore Y.
Hammons wrote the grant application to get the money, one of 14 grants given in the nation this year.
"We'll be sprucing up the building with paint, and working on the floor, making it more kid friendly, a place that will look like a good afterschool program," Hammons said.
Two new computers will also be installed in the YMCA's business office and general supplies will also be purchased out of the money.
"As the chairman of fund-raising for the Atmore Area YMCA, I would like to encourage the people of Atmore and the surrounding areas to support the YMCA," Hammons said.
In order to receive the funds, Atmore Area YMCA is required to contribute an additional $6,250 of local YMCA funds.
In all, the KFC/Colonel's Kids program provided more than $2 million to YMCAs around the country this year.
For more information about YMCA programs, call 368-9622.