Light Up Your Town on Oct. 24 - Landmarks, Local Icons Wanted
This is an important year for illuminating the need for a state investment in afterschool programs in Michigan. We launched a well-received Afterschool Summit in April, a Capitol Day before state lawmakers in May, then started strategic planning with a renewed commitment to work regionally and statewide in June. Now it's time to consider how we can leverage all that great energy around
''Lights On Afterschool''
in October.
That's where we need your help. In addition to sharing news of the hundreds of terrific local "Lights On'' celebrations across Michigan, we would like to draw attention to some of our prominent major community landmarks and icons as lighting projects across the state - our own Michigan version of the lighting of the Empire State Building.
"As members
of the Afterschool network, we hope you can be inspired to contact members of your community to make that happen! Whether it's a prominent high-rise, a street arch, a bridge - whatever is unique and notable to your community and can be used to symbolize keeping the “lights on” for afterschool," said MASP Executive Director Mary Sutton.
The plan is to communicate these lighting events to raise awareness and galvanize support among elected leaders decision-makers to create more afterschool champions and advocates, she said. The MASP Communications Workgroup recently discussed this idea with some suggestions:
- Statewide: The Capitol, Michigan lighthouses, the Grand River Avenue and River which runs through many communities; school flag poles lit with spotlights covered in a blue film representing afterschool's signature color; lighting around natural landmarks like the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
- Others include art installations, water towers, downtown thoroughfares, landmarks in universities and colleges; major buildings in city centers.
We're sure you and your students, colleagues, partners and parents can imagine other "spotlights" for afterschool! Let us know how you're doing and if you need help! Contact: Communications Manager Teri Banas at teribanas03@gmail.com.
-- The Michigan After-School Partnership
