Lynn childrens’ program visited by local pols

LYNN – Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. and Lynn Sen. Thomas McGee showed their support for after-school programs in the city Thursday, stopping by the Greater Lynn YMCA to speak to children during the Lights on After School Celebration.McGee, who has spearheaded state funding initiatives for after school programming, spoke to students from the YMCA’s after-school childcare program about the importance of education and staying safe when they are not in school.The curious students were less interested in McGee’s political endeavors than his job duties and annual salary, but the Senator was happy to take questions from all angles.”I am rich in spirit because I live in Lynn and we have great programs like this,” McGee said after one student asked him if he was rich.Clancy faced similar questions about his job, and gave one student a geography lesson when she asked him where the Statue of Liberty was located.Both Clancy and McGee presented the students with state and citywide proclamations and vowed to continue pushing the state to support after school programs.The event highlighted the significant contributions that the Greater Lynn YMCA’s “School’s Out After School” programs make to the community of Lynn, Saugus and Peabody, keeping kids safe and healthy, inspiring them to learn, and relieving working parents of worries about their children’s activities during the afternoon hours.Dozens of parents, supporters and community members attended the event, which took place in the Greater Lynn YMCA gymnasium.After Clancy and McGee spoke to the students, attendees participated in gym games, indoor and outdoor art projects, baking projects, and a DVD compilation on What After School Means to Me by the children and their parents.McGee was co-chair on the Commission for After School and Out of School Time, which met several times in various communities over the past year to discuss area community’s needs when it comes to after school programming.As a result, local delegates recently announced additional funding for after school programs both at the YMCA and Girls Incorporated of Lynn.The Lights on After School Celebration is a national event to promote after school and out of school programs, led by the After School Alliance, chaired by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.