According to Greek orator Demosthenes (384-322 B.C.), “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”
The Mid-Hudson Civic Center did its best to prove that theory this past Saturday with “It’s All About the Kids,” an event to benefit the Poughkeepsie community. Children, parents and families were invited to join in on free activities and entertainment, allowing kids a new experience for growth and learning.
“The hardest part is putting the ball in the hole,” said PGA Golf professional Peter Shea, to a little boy on Sept. 24 while instructing children how to putt. Looking on with eager eyes, the boy tried again. Putt one … so close. Putt two … in the hole! A smile spread over his face.
As more children took their turns putting and examining the different types of golf clubs, it was easy to see the seeds of interest being planted in their young minds.
Instruction for golf, tennis, hockey and hip-hop was available for all the children attending the event, with parents encouraged to join in as well.
However, the program’s ultimate goal is not athletic. Isha Halley, a community outreach volunteer, said “It’s All About the Kids,” is about providing children with “skills, and socializing different cultures and racial backgrounds.”
She also noted that children learn “about character, self-esteem and other issues they face in the community.” By equipping the children of future generations with a new set of skills, as well as new ideas about themselves, the community cannot help but benefit and grow in positive ways.
Susan DuMoulin, executive director of the Civic Center, is equally enthusiastic. “It’s new, it’s fresh,” she said as she snapped a picture of children enjoying the tennis instruction.
She also said the Civic Center was “trying to incorporate transportation” and would like to be able to take these children “out of the city,” which would help expose many kids to new social environments.
“The whole philosophy of the event is getting people to do things they would not normally do … letting them see other opportunities,” said Steven Tinkelman, former president of the Civic Center, during the festivities.
Children were playing hockey, munching on pretzels or other concessions and carrying balloons. Radio station 96.1 KISS FM had a tent set up outside the arena, with children entering drawings and playing games before entering the event.
Many were also excited about the “Skate-A-Thon,” which was to follow “It’s All About the Kids.” The Skate-A-Thon occurred from 2 to 4 p.m., with participants paying a $10 entry fee, all of which went directly to the American Red Cross for the Hurricane Katrina relief fund. Children who had collected $25 or more in donations could skate for free.
In all, more than 200 children attended “It’s All About the Kids.”
The organizers are trying to plan another event for the near future but, in the meantime, other children’s activities are scheduled for the coming months. For a list of these offerings, visit www.midhudsonciviccenter.com.