Weekly News Roundup - Dec. 16, 2009

The Weekly News Roundup will return after the holidays, on January 6. You can follow the latest afterschool news any time on the Afterschool Alliance Facebook and Twitter pages.

Dour Economy Brings New Challenges to Child Care (Star-Ledger, New Jersey)
Read how the economy is affecting afterschool programs and child care in New Jersey, and its effect on children and families, as more parents are unable to afford program fees.

Pennies from Lawrence Help Build School in Pakistan (Eagle-Tribune, Massachusetts)
The Start Something afterschool program in Lawrence is holding a coin drive to raise money for Pennies for Peace, which will fund a school in Pakistan. “We want to help countries have a better way of life and get an education like we do here,” said one of the students.

Cold Closes Boys & Girls Club as Group Looks for Heat Fix (News & Advance, Virginia)
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg has temporarily closed because of broken heating units, since the building’s temperature is not up to the state-regulated level. Although Home Depot has donated space heaters, the afterschool program is asking for community donations to fix the heaters.

City's Fitness Program Aims to Boost Physical Activity (Sun-Sentinel, Florida)
The city of Boynton Beach is offering a fitness-focused afterschool program and other exercise opportunities to its residents, as part of the Commit 2B Fit campaign.