Clifford the Big Red Dog, a beloved mascot for Montana PBS, was a special guest at the Alberton School on Tuesday, Aug. 8. He gave high-fives and hugs as kids participated in a variety of activities based on the theme, “Building Community.”

“We’ve traveled all over Montana,” said Chris Seifert, Director of Educational Services at Montana PBS. They have gone to 17 rural areas and visited with more than 700 kids, from communities along the Hi-Line to Thompson Falls and Alberton.

A table was set up outside the Alberton Elementary School where kids could make their own red Clifford ears. Inside the school cafeteria stations were set up, all with a building theme. There were pieces of cardboard to build houses and red solo cups which kids stacked high to create their own fort. Paper bags and construction paper was available to make house, as well as popsicle sticks and plastic building blocks.

Kids from 3-months to 6-years-old showed up to see their favorite book and television cartoon character. Some rushed up and got a big hug, while others clung to their mothers and cast a shy smile at the big red dog.

The program was developed in conjunction with the Office of Public Instruction and rural libraries. The Mineral County Library and the Alberton Library hosted the event.

Seifert said they try to do community outreach programs whenever funding is available and as long as the communities support it, they’ll keep doing it.