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| Messenger photo by Dianne Garrett |
| Jawahir Muhammed, 6, paints a picture with mom, Greta Adam, at the arts and crafts tent during Unity in the Community August 18. The pair said they were having a great time together enjoying a variety of activities. |
Several hundred eastside residents enjoyed the first Unity in the Community Festival on Aug. 18 at Livingston Court in the Berwyn area.
The festival was made possible by volunteers, business and individual donations, and a grant awarded the previous week from United Way, The Columbus Foundation, National City Bank and Bob Evans.
The purpose of the festival was to promote community unity and collaboration through information sharing and the promotion of services and events.
Seven churches partnered to organize the day that provided live musical entertainment, inflatables for the children, arts and crafts, and food.
Attendees could get health screenings, donate blood, and obtain valuable information. Free bags of groceries were also distributed to anyone in need.
Columbus City Councilwoman Charleta Tavares, an eastside resident and Eastmoor High School graduate, addressed the crowd by saying, "The Berwyn area is about values, family and friends. God’s work goes across denominations, races and communities. This event shows that we can all work together for the good of our neighborhoods. That is our mission."
She told organizers that she and her fellow City Council members and Mayor Michael Coleman appreciate their efforts, and congratulated them on a successful first attempt at the event. "We don’t just appreciate the work you have done today, but the work you do throughout the year."
Event sponsors included Barnett Road Baptist Church, Christ Community Church, Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Barnett Recreation Center, Neighborhood Pride Center East and Berwyn East Civic Association.
Lynn LaCour, director of the Pride Center, said that she was very pleased to see such a large turn-out, as well as families and friends having fun together.
