Sixteen Big Clifty youth, ranging in age from 5 to 15, have formed the Big Clifty Youth Group at the community center with the goal of "helping the people and improving our community."

The group is planning an Easter egg hunt for Big Clifty kids, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 10 at the Community Center.

There will be a coloring contest, egg hunt, games and prizes.

Donations from friends and neighbors started the group, and part of those donations will help pay for the Easter egg hunt.

The Community Center, along with County Magistrate, Jason Dennis, is sponsoring Big Clifty Clean Up Day the following Saturday, April 17. There will be a dumpster at VanMeters Grocery Store. Anyone in the community can bring in trash and put it in the dumpsters.

The Youth group plans to participate in this event. There will be a barbeque at the center after the cleanup is over. Please bring a dish to pass and join your neighbors as we celebrate our community and its new Youth Group.

The Community Center, along with the commodities office in Leitchfield, has started a new distribution program in Big Clifty.

Eligible recipients may now pick up their commodities at the Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Wednesday of the month. Recipients must let the Leitchfield distribution office know if they wish to pick up their commodities in Big Clifty.

The Youth Group also plans to begin a senior citizens outreach program. This program may include a monthly dinner for seniors at the community center.

The youth would also like to begin a youth helping hand program. Seniors who would like help with chores, yard work, or would like to just have someone to come and visit with them can contact Cheryl Aerts at 242-2933 to request the group's services.

In addition to work, the youth plan to have a lot of fun. The Community Center has bought a new TV and VCR and plan to offer a Saturday morning movie matinee.

The kids will be learning to make Indian jewelry from Thomas Pablo, a Native American in our community who has volunteered to teach this craft to the kids.

There will be pool parties planned and dances to be held at the community center.

The Group will be making Christmas decorations to light up the streets for Christmas. The kids will be doing fundraising projects to finance all the events they would like to do, and all the proceeds will go to benefit these kids and the community.

The kids would like to thank everyone who has donated their time and money so far to this group. We thank Wal-Mart for their generous donation of $100 towards the TV and VCR.

Anyone with a craft they could teach to the kids or anyone who would like to help with this group is welcome to contact Cheryl Aerts.

Big Clifty's youth are eager to share their hearts and talents with their community. And anyone interested in donating money to the group may do that with assurance that they will see that money being used to better our community, our seniors and our kids. -- Cheryl Aerts, Big Clifty