RYES Keeps Kids Busy

WAITSBURG-Several years ago, Waitsburg resident Leroy Cunningham had a vision for helping kids learn about business and have fun at the same time. He established Rural Youth Enrich- ment Services as a non-profit organization, and its board went through the lengthy process of obtaining 501c3 tax-exempt status.

Current board president Anne Walsh of Waitsburg said that the group has gone through some ups and downs in the past few months, and Cunningham has left the group. But RYES is now establishing itself as a central hub to which other lo- cal groups providing youth activities can affiliate them- selves for support.

"Having the tax-exempt status allows groups to apply for grants through our organi- zation that they couldn't get otherwise," said Walsh. "We also can provide other neces- sary services, like insurance."

In 2010 and 2011, RYES did business as "RuralGreen Enterprises" in Waitsburg. One of its primary activities was to establish a community garden. Kids grew vegetables and sold them through farm- ers' markets.

Walsh says one of the goals of RYES is for local kids to learn entrepreneur- ship skills. RYES purchased popcorn and snow cone ma- chines, and kids in the group have sold snacks at several local events to raise money.

The first outside group to join forces with RYES is the Touchet Valley Music Project. Kate Hockersmith of Waitsburg leads the group, with eight kids regularly practicing and performing bluegrass music. They play several instruments, includ- ing banjo, fiddle and guitar, and call themselves "The Barnstormers".

The group got started sev- eral years ago when Hocker- smith's son John started the Blue Mountain Troublemak- ers bluegrass group in Waits- burg with a couple of bud- dies. That group performed throughout the northwest.

Hockersmith said she was particularly drawn to RYES because of its ability to provide insurance for her group. "That's something we really needed," she said.

Hockersmith hopes to raise money through RYES so that the music project can branch out and allow kids to perform other kinds of music.

Walsh said the RYES board is using the affiliation with the music project as a learning process. She hopes that RYES can soon link up with other groups and offer similar services.