Our View: Support Booster Days and area youth this weekend

Talk about it

Booster Days is celebrated in Hudson this weekend, and the summer event offers citizens an opportunity to support one of the area’s hardest working groups — the Hudson Boosters. In turn, your support goes directly to benefit area youth.

Most of this year’s Booster activities are scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but carnival rides and a few events are also scheduled Wednesday and Sunday. Another item to which we should call attention is that the fireworks are at dusk Saturday, July 5.

Many of the proceeds from Booster Days go to support such youth programs as Booster baseball, softball, football, scholarships or the Easter egg hunt. This summer alone, about 1,150 boys and girls are involved with about 90 teams in Booster baseball and softball programs. Another 350 or se are involved in the fall football program.

In most communities, celebrations like Booster Days are staged by some branch of the business community, like the Chamber of Commerce. Likewise, many community celebrations involve the local governments. The Booster participation in our community emphasizes the volunteer nature of the organization. Few Booster members own retail businesses. Virtually no Booster member will see any spin-off personal gain from Booster Days — the only goal is to raise funds for youth activities.

Another point, in many communities, taxpayers foot the bill for youth baseball and other activities through a municipal park and recreation department, or something similar. The Boosters take on these activities and remove the burden from taxpayers. The Boosters clearly deserve our praise. Members of the Booster Club donate one of today’s most valuable assets –- time! And who reaps the benefits of Booster work? Our children.

The Boosters have put together a full schedule of events for the Fourth of July weekend celebration. All that’s needed to make the weekend a success is our participation. Enjoy the fun this weekend and know that you are benefiting the youths of our community.

Tags: opinion, hudson, editorial, booster_days