As the summer heat ramps up, the United Way of West Central Mississippi is inviting children to come spend a few fun, educational hours indoors.

The United Way will host its annual Day of Action Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA on Clay Street with games and activities for children.

“Day of Action is a free event the United Way puts on for the community that highlights different things each year,” Kami May, United Way’s director of marketing, said. “Every United Way all over the world has a Day of Action that they focus on. In years past, we have done early childhood literacy and we are still focusing on that this year, but instead of that being our main focus, we are also adding in getting fit. It will be literacy activities, getting fit activities.”

May said United Way has asked daycares that will be bringing groups of children to preregister, but families who are plan to bring just a few children can feel free to just show up at the event.

“Last year, we had over 300 children show up and this year we are planning for 500 because it just keeps growing every year,” May said. “It is open to the public and free.”

Every child who attends will also go home with a free book and representative from Excel by 5 will be on hand with resources for parents.

“Our main goal is to pull children out of poverty,” May said. “That takes a long time to do. It is not something that happens over night. We are focusing on the literacy activities and the getting fit activities to one day lead to pulling children out of poverty.”

For more information about Tuesday’s event, call the United Way at 601-636-1733.