A MESSAGE FOR PARENTS   Trust and confidence – those are the feelings we want you to have when your children attend events at the Lower Paxton Youth Center (LPYC). We hope you trust us to make sure they have a safe, enjoyable experience at the clubhouse, 100 Elmwood Drive (next to ABC North Lanes), and we appreciate the confidence you have shown by allowing them to participate in LPYC activities. Here are some things you might not have known.   How Did We Get Here?   The LPYC grew out of the Penn Gardens Community Association, formerly the Penn Gardens Civic Club, in 2003. The board members recognized a need to focus on programs for young people, because the community was seeing a rapid growth in the number of families residing nearby. The LPYC became responsible for the Penn Gardens property and the programs being operated on it. These have included not only music nights, movie nights, Vegan dinners, discussion groups, and art shows in the clubhouse but also a youth softball league and the Penn Gardens Food Pantry, which recently moved into the Calvary United Methodist Church on Locust Lane.   Who Makes It Happen?   Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) comes up with the ideas and schedules and organizes the events. Any interested young person is welcome to participate. The LPYC Board of Directors and other adult volunteers stay in the background, where they provide oversight without intruding during events, and figure out how to pay the bills and do whatever else is needed to keep the youth center going. If you would like to help out, please let us know. Visit www.lowerpaxtonyouthcenter.com to find out more about what our volunteers do. You may also call the vice-president of our board, Gail Mahoney, at 652-0990 or send e-mail to HHSMAHONEY@aol.com.   How Do We Pay the Bills?   The young people attending events at the clubhouse pay a modest entrance fee. Although the revenue from these events does not cover all of our operating costs, we want to keep the clubhouse activities affordable. We have held various fundraisers and, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the LPYC may accept tax-deductible contributions from individuals. Other support has come from sources such as the Calvary United Methodist Church and Giant Food Stores. A matching grant from the Foundation for Enhancing Communities enabled us to purchase a new sound system and make other improvements.   What Will We Be Doing Next?   The Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania has awarded the LPYC a grant, including salary and fringe benefits for a full-time center director, through the Dauphin County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. The LPYC will have a tobacco use prevention program targeting youth ages 10-18. This will introduce anti-tobacco messages and information into music, art, and other creative activities that capture youth’s attention and will reach out through school programs and other events.   New activities create the need for additional funds to maintain and improve our facilities. If you have experience in fundraising such as finding local businesses to sponsor community programs, we can use your help. Also, if you have a business or an employer that would be willing to help out or you would like to make a donation, please let us know. Donations may be mailed to the Lower Paxton Youth Center, P.O. Box 126331, Harrisburg, PA 17112-6331.   http://www.lowerpaxtonyouthcenter.com/mailto:HHSMAHONEY@aol.comshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1