They did it! Skeptics said it would never happen but it did.

Organizers of a Marion youth center have a building. Because of the generosity of Central National Bank in donating the former Mike’s Service Center building on East Main Street, Marion Youth Advancement Committee can now use donations for improvements and programs.

This newspaper plans to promote and support this youth center as best we can but it’s going to take involvement from a lot of people — those who have teenage children and maybe those who used to or will have.

Youth centers have come and gone from this community. Perhaps one secret to the success of this one is for it to be able to evolve as our youth evolve but nothing is going to happen without input, leadership, and hard work.

There’s a movie theater in Oakley that was renovated and now is being operated by teens. Who knows what kinds of projects might come from this. It’s important to have this center available so teens can have opportunities like teens in Oakley.

Hats off to Amy Kjellin and the core committee for never losing faith.

— susan berg