Thank goodness there are people in this state who don't stand around expecting others to make up for their inertia.

While the governor toyed with the emotions of parents of public school students such as me, while the Hawaii State Teachers Association voted for the lesser of two evil proposals, proprietors of after-school programs hustled to organize child care efforts for Furlough Fridays.

I can't say they're not going to try and cash in on this windfall of 17 days of earning opportunity, but let's face it, that's what it is. Many of us two-income families already tighten the belt to pay the bills. We'll be putting out some more money for our children's Furlough Fridays program.

At Niu Valley Middle School, a new program called Complete Childcare started this school year, organized by some of the staff and faculty. It's pretty exciting to have a child in middle school now, and I am completely confident in the operators of the program.

Kama'aina Kids has the A+ contract for after-school care at Koko Head. The YMCA and the Big Brothers & Big Sisters programs also have after-school care contracts throughout the state. Who invented A+? Does anyone remember? I am sure legions of parents are as grateful as I. I've worked with a few of these groups over the years for school years and Summer Fun, and am impressed with how much their staff care about our kids.

It's heartening that these organizations are willing to fill the void. Desiree Demellow, of Complete Childcare, said they are going to open up their program at Niu to area elementary school children. My youngest, who goes to Koko Head, is excited about the prospect of spending time at the big kids' school.

Our family is fortunate in that my husband and I work different hours and can trade the kids off if necessary. We have our grands and my sisters-in-law who would help, too. But if there is an opportunity for my children to participate in what promises to be better than sitting around at home connected to the Internet or the television, they'll fly out of bed that day.

Most of the staff of the bigger organizations such as the Y and Kama'aina Kids are college students. As a result, getting them to work the extra hours might be a struggle. These organizations are open to hiring teachers for Furlough Fridays.

It's true that when Hawaii's residents see a problem, they speak up, they question authority, they help themselves. To think that our children are pawns in this scenario speaks volumes. I'm glad I made the decision this year to allocate part of my Aloha United Way deduction to Kama'aina Kids. They deserve our support. They and the other after-school program organizations also deserve our gratitude for stepping up.

I'm a parent of public school students, and I vote.

Paula Gillingham Bender has lived in Hawai'i since 1981 and makes her home in Hawai'i Kai with her husband and two daughters. See her blog at www.eastoahuinsider.honadvblogs.com.