The city's summer parks program needs some help.
The Williamsport Recreation Commission has been providing structured summer fun to children age of 5 through 12 for decades with a structured, supervised summer parks program.
For years, the nine-week program was free, but rising costs and stressed city revenues, have resulted in parents being asked to pay a modest fee in recent years.
This year, the city recreation program is going one step further and is asking the public at large to help.
The fee is $5 a week or $35 for nine weeks, but it is a voluntary, honor-system payment program and no one is turned away because they can't pay.
The plea for public donations is being made with the endorsement of the recreation commission, and a draft of the appeal for donations was reviewed by the commission at its meeting Monday.
The letter asks people "to help by sponsoring a child or children so they may attend our parks program." It asks for no specific amount, stating simply that "any financial assistance is greatly appreciated."
The summer parks program provides structured recreation programs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with supervised activities that include a bagged lunch and swimming at the Memorial and East End city pools.
The program begins soon after school ends and will be held at Memorial Park near Bowman Field and Shaw Place Park off Sherman Street.
The YMCA is contracted to administer the city's recreation programming, including management of the pools and summer park program. In conjunction with recreation commission members, the YMCA will distribute a brief letter seeking donations.
The letter ends by suggesting those with questions contact Megan Hill, senior program director at the Williamsport Branch of River Valley Regional YMCA, who may be reached by calling 323-7134, extension 47, or by e-mailing www.williamsportymca.org.
According to Hill, last year's program served 250 children and cost more than $17,000 to operate. This year the cost will be about $20,000.
