Alandra (Van Vleet) Harrelson heads the new After School @ the UMC program for children from Kindergarten to sixth grade every weekday during the school year.  This free service to families in the community has been the dream of church member, Brenda Stover, for several years.  “It’s so exciting to see this new ministry become a reality,” says Mrs. Stover, who is also a teacher at Redfield Public School.  Church members, Daryl and Tracy Schutte, also prepared space and painted the rooms in the church for the after school program.

      Ms. Harrelson plans to offer snacks, crafts, games, and other fun activities for the children.  She has prepared two adjacent rooms with a connecting door in the church for the program.  “Children may also read story books, color, paint and do homework if they wish,” says Ms. Harrelson, who is the daughter of Gary and the late Linda Van Vleet.  

      The program begins on Monday, September 11th, from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.     Volunteers from the church and community are assisting Ms. Harrelson, and there is space for up to two dozen children each day.   Children must be pre-registered in order to participate, and over a half dozen children are already registered.   Registrations are available and being accepted at the Redfield United Methodist Church at 1326 West First Street (472-0770).