YEP’s pool party draws a crowd in Kingston

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KINGSTON — Kelsey Cunningham and her three children stood in line outside of the Kingston Community Pool on Sunday eager to beat the unrelenting heat and enjoy a refreshing afternoon poolside.

“I like the slides,” said Karson, 7, when asked about his favorite part of the pool.

“Swimming!” Braylen, 6, interjected. “Mine is swimming.”

Cunningham simply smiled. “It’s nice to have something fun for the kids to do.”

That fun came at absolutely no cost to Cunningham and her family or any of the other families who visited the pool on Sunday for the Youth Enrichment Project’s (Y.E.P) annual pool party and community event.

The organization, founded by siblings Kellyann and Nathaniel Kenny, encourages children to get involved with extra curricular activities, such as sports or the arts, by helping to eliminate financial barriers that would otherwise prevent them from participating.

According to Nathaniel Kenny, the organization’s sponsorship might help someone pay for a music lesson or buy a new set of cleats.

Through various programs, Y.E.P gives kids the opportunities to develop the skills necessary to follow their passions.

Free events like Sunday’s pool party also helped local families get to know one another and connect with resources like Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“Every year, this event has grown and grown,” said Kenny, adding that 375 attendees were counted not even an hour into the event.

“The community has really come out to support us,” he said.

Fern Leard, who will be running for state representative of House District 120 this November, was one of the sponsors for Sunday’s event.

“I love what they do,” she said. “I’m a big supporter. I’m just really glad that they’re here for the community, especially because it benefits the most under-served people in our community.”

The event also featured live music and a long list of raffle prizes and kids were given 10 free tickets to try and win a basket of their choosing.

Later in the afternoon, everyone was treated to lunch underneath the pavilion.

Mellisa Reeves, of Ashley, said that her daughter Abby, 6, practically lives in the water in the summer.

“She’s a fish,” Reeves laughed. “We have a pool at home, but we have a small one, so she asks me to come here all the time.”

Reeves took Abby to Y.E.P’s easter egg hunt back in April and had a wonderful time, so she was excited to participate another one of the organization’s events.

“Everyone is so nice. They make you feel really welcomed.”