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After patrolling the streets of Oak Creek last New Year's Eve, Oak Creek Police Chief Tim Willert came home and told his wife, Mindy, that the area needed to supply something for children to do.

This New Year's Eve, Mindy Willert has helped organize a party for all South Routt County children from 6 to 17 years old that will last from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The party is the first event that will be sponsored by the South Routt Police Activities League, which gives children from kindergarten through 12th grade a chance to participate in sports and other activities. Tim Willert is working to bring a chapter of the national organization to the South Routt community. Mindy Willert is the project manager for the activities league.

"What we're providing is a free and safe environment for the kids," Mindy Willert said.

Children can show up at the hockey hut in downtown Oak Creek at 8 p.m., where snacks such as pizza rolls, mozzarella sticks, hot cocoa and other drinks will be provided free of charge.

The ice rink will be lit so children can skate. There are about 30 pairs of ice skates for free use, but children who have skates are encouraged to bring their own, Mindy Willert said.

There will be games and activities, and children can ring in the New Year with hats, horns and other party favors that will be supplied.

The food and party favors have been purchased with funds that have been donated to the PAL program, and cocoa and other drinks will be provided by Beth the Chef. The party is prepared for about 100 children, Mindy Willert said.

Children younger than 16 will have to be picked up by an adult, but teens 16 or older can leave on their own.

Typically, the weekday curfew is 10 p.m. for anyone younger than 18, but for children who come to the PAL party, that curfew will be extended, Tim Willert said.

The police department and Mindy Willert will chaperone the event. Anyone who is interested in volunteering or wants to donate ice skates for the night can contact Mindy Willert at Oak Creek Town Hall at 736-2422.