On March 10 the 125 children in “Amazing Afternoons,” an after-school program sponsored by WJCS at Edward Williams Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, enjoyed their second book club event hosted by volunteers from the Junior Leagueof Pelham (JLP).  In keeping with the eco-friendly theme, the children in grades 1 to 5 enjoyed reading green-themed books such asHandy Manny: Earth Day Fair, created eco-related crafts and discussed how to save our natural resources. Following their discussion, students participated in fun, age-appropriate activities. First graders coloredtheir version of a “perfect earth” on paper bags, while third graders took part in a recycling relay race.  Now in its third year, the JLP’s One Day Book Club focuses on literacy, one of the JLP’s key project areas. Amazing Afternoons works toward this goal and also equips students with academics skills and information about nutrition, social skills and more. Project co-chairs Joanne Zabatta and Sandra Ritossa are planning their final book club event, the Kids in the Kitchen Book Club.”I am SO thankful for the Junior League’s involvement in this program,” said Mary Figueroa, Amazing Afternoons Program Director. “You have no idea what an impact it makes on these kids! And the fact that you keep coming back consistently, year after year, isincredible.”The JLP is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.  For more information, please visit www.jlpelham.org.Photos: Top:  Jennifer Manthei showing fourth grader, Kawun, how to check which plastics are recyclable.Bottom:  Robin Bratone and Julia Nakayamasurrounded by third graders learning to sort recyclables, while having fun with relay races.