Kids will have no reason to say, ‘There’s nothing to do? if families attend the ‘Clarkston Connects? Community Expo on Saturday.
From 9 a.m. until noon in the Clarkston High School cafeteria, more than 40 organizations will offer ways for children and families to be involved in positive activities.
Exhibitors include schools, churches, volunteer organizations and businesses offering displays and demonstrations of fun programs for all ages.
‘If you are busy, come,? said Cindy Keil, one of the co-chairs of the third annual expo, because the event provides information busy families would have trouble gathering on their own.
Formerly known as the ‘Summer Happenings? Expo, the event will now offer information for year-round family fun.
‘The focus has expanded,? Keil said. ‘Rather than focusing on things to do in the summer, it is one-stop shopping for all the great things going on in Clarkston.?
Organized by the Clarkston Coalition for Youth, the expanded expo is the latest effort to promote the community initiative, ‘Each One Reach One’Connecting For a Better Community.? Keil said the expo, like the initiative, is not attempting to invent new programs, but is trying to capitalize on groups already involved in community-minded activities.
The expo is also another attempt to promote the ?40 Assets of Healthy Development,? the foundation of the ‘Connecting? campaign.
‘Our community is so great, because of the investment of the people who are in it,? she said. ‘This is not a program. It’s a tool. It is more about connecting and awareness of building community.?
The event is also about fun. More than 20 businesses will offer door prizes, Jim Tedder Productions will provide music and the morning will be filled with demonstrations.
The Independence Township Fire Department will have fire trucks on display; Waterford Hills Racing and the Michigan Midget Racing Association will bring cars for display; Oakland County Parks will bring their ‘moonwalk? attraction; and attenders will enjoy demonstrations from groups such as 4-H dog club members, Celtic dancers, the Spraymasters water ski team and a youth drama team from Sashabaw Presbyterian Church.
Keil is excited that young people themselves are part of the program. In addition to several youth organizations presenting their programs, middle school students Emily Allen and Emma Burder will make bracelets as part of a project to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation.
Keil believes the event will go far in helping channel other youths into positive activities.
‘It is not enough to tell kids what we don’t want them to do,? she said. ‘We need to show them what’s out there.?
Through a partnership with Clarkston Community Education, the expo will also offer help to parents with several workshops throughout the morning. Keil said the school district was planning their event and coincidentally chose the same day as the expo. Working together seemed the logical choice, she said.
Admission to the expo is free of charge, but parent workshops have a $5 fee and require advance registration.
Keil is working with Alesha Keelean, who organized the first expo two years ago. Keelean did a great job, Keil said, then took last year off when she got married. The two joined to chair this year’s expanded expo.
‘I’m really excited about it,? Keil said, predicting it will be a larger event each year. ‘We’re going to keep doing this.?
For more information on the expo, call Keil at 248-394-0334 or Keelean at 248-625-5092. For a full schedule of exhibitors, participants, sponsors and parent workshops, visit the Clarkston Coalition for Youth Web site at www.clarkstonyouth.org.