To the Editor:

“It takes a village to raise a child” is not only an insightful African proverb, but a cherished core value in the Hilltowns. I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for the efforts of the many community members who recently participated as presenters and helped to organize our first Discovery Workshop Series.

The Knox Youth Council was thrilled with the overwhelming response to the offering of activities during the months of March and April to the children of the Hilltowns. Over 100 individual children participated in 18 workshops designed to engage them in creative, academic, and physical activities.

Volunteers shared their talents and interests, ranging from soccer, basketball, horseback riding, and martial arts to woodworking, painting, chess, electricity, and the care of farm animals. Young firefighters-to-be learned of fire safety and what it means to be a firefighter. Young people learned to sew and to cook.

These workshops were made possible through the combined efforts of the Knox Youth Council members, the Knox Town Board, and a very generous grant from the Stewart’s Holiday Match Program. We are grateful for all of the support provided to us as we strive to bring quality programs and experiences at low or no cost to the families in the Hilltowns.

We are currently planning several camp experiences for the summer of 2017 and are recruiting volunteers and paid staff members for these events. If you are interested in sharing your talents with elementary- and middle-school aged students, or just would like to volunteer to help, please feel free to contact me for more information by phone at (518) 872-1899 or by email at . We would love to have you join us!

Thank you again to all who participated and to the Stewart’s Corporation for its continued commitment to the communities they serve.

Maryellen Gillis

Youth Services Coordinator

Town of Knox