We at The News are thankful to live in a community that is so giving to its residents.

From nonprofits helping put food on residents’ tables to donors helping to make gifts such as the splash pad at Starlite Beach possible, we are joyful every time we get to write a congratulatory note to our readership for the ways they’ve helped each other.

Today, we continue that tradition in saying thanks to the Alpena Optimist Club for on Tuesday hosting the 27th Spring Break Family Fun Day at Alpena High School.

Spring break is a big deal to students everywhere, the first time in weeks they’ve had any significant time off of school. Here in northern Michigan, it’s an even bigger deal, because spring break is often the first chance kids get to be outside in warm(ish) sunshine after a long, harsh winter. All those snow days in February were fun, we’re sure, but it’s something spring break is something else, entirely.

In short, it’s reason to celebrate.

And the Optimist Club’s Family Fun Day helps kids do just that with games and activities all day long.

So, thanks, Optimists, for hosting such an event and helping us celebrate the coming of longer, warmer days.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)