'For The Kids'

Emporium Moose is offering free children identification kits next Saturday (Sept. 23), as part of the organization's expanded community outreach program.

From 1:00 to 4:00 that afternoon, parents, grandparents or guardians are invited to bring children to the lodge to obtain free ID kits. These will include fingerprint and DNA identification. Photographs can also be added to the kits, if provided on Saturday.

"It's not just for Cameron County kids, it's for all kids," said Moose Administrator Hollis Langley. "And their parents don't need to be Moose members. So, we're encouraging all parents in the area to bring their children out. It's a good program."

The kit will be given to the accompanying adult for secure storage. New students are routinely fingerprinted at school, but next week's program is open to all children from infancy to age 12.

Complimentary beverages and snacks will be provided. To support Emporium Moose, the Emporium Volunteer Fire Dept., Cameron County Ambulance Assn., Mountain Search and Rescue and Cameron County Emergency Management Agency will all be on hand.

Langley, who replaced longtime Administrator George Grasser earlier this year, said programs like this are what makes being a Moose member worthwhile.

"That's what I'm really into," Langley said. "We do a lot of things for the kids and we're always looking to do more."