The KIDSConnect Afterschool Program (Educational Council) of Southeastern Franklin County in Ohio held events to celebrate "Lights on Afterschool" for two of our site locations. The Canal Winchester Middle School program celebrated the day with a city wide open house. Parents and community members took the time to come together and discuss the importance of programming by sharing personal stories, play games, eat food, and enjoy artwork and projects completed by the students. Rosemore Middle School partnered with Communities in Schools (another local afterschool program) to celebrate with an open house as well. Local community members discussed the importance of afterschool programming; families provided food and participated in several group games. Attendees included students, families, school staff, city council members and the newly elected Mayor. Both events were very successful in promoting awareness of and showing the value in afterschool programming.