Kids Invited to Books and Baskets on Wednesdays

On Wednesdays, parents can count on a couple of hours to themselves, and their kids can look forward to library activities or sports games, thanks a program first instituted in the fall of 2010 by the Belleville Athletic Advisory Council.

Belleville’s children from all over town are welcome to come to a rotating group of elementary schools from 6 to 8 p.m. On Wednesday, March 7, School #9 did the honors, with a good turnout, according to Anthony Santasieri, athletic council treasurer.

Richard Yanuzzi, an athletic advisory council leader, said that the program regular draws groups in the hundreds, “Kids from all different schools can meet and get to know each other. It’s all paid for by the advisory council.”

The program is done by breaking the children into two groups. Those from Kindergarten through Grade 3 can look forward to story time, coloring and occasionally a magician, Yanuzzi said.

For fourth through sixth graders, organizers will host races, kickball and dodgeball, he said.

As well as being a great program, Yanuzzi said, taxpayers can take comfort in knowing that the price is right. “It’s the only program in town for kids where not one penny comes out of taxes. We raise every penny to fund this.”

Members of the athletic board takes turn checking the kids in, Yanuzzi said. Danielle Cesena of the Children’s Room and her assistants run the library part of the program.