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Tabernacle family, community enjoy fun day

Posted 5/8/08

By Stephanie Lambert
Associate Editor

Food, music, pony rides, clothing give-a-ways and good family fun were all part of this year’s Family Members and Friends Community Day presented by Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.

“This year is a spin,” said Roger Walker, member of Tabernacle and volunteer at the May 3 event. “There’s not just fun, but we had a clothing give-a-way because we saw a great need. We like to serve the community, to serve outside the four walls of the church.”

The Rev. Stanley Walker, pastor of Tabernacle, said the purpose of the community day was to reach the needs of the people and to let them know that the church is concerned and cares about their needs.“We are getting out the family concept, and meeting and fellowshipping as a family,” Walker said at the sixth annual event. “I think the turnout of the event was really fair. The church members and community responded well.”

Temeka Bruce, mother of 7-year-old Emani Dawkins, said the event was nice and had a positive vibe.

“It’s always important to give back to the community,” Bruce said. “This event is great because it’s something to keep the kids off the street.”

Ruby Nicholson brought her grandchildren to the event. She said she was extremely appreciative of the event, especially the clothing distribution because a lot of people don’t have money.

“It’s a community event and a church function so I knew it would be well monitored,” said Nicholson. “They had such nice clothes. You could get 10 items, so I basically got my grandkids’ summer wardrobe.”

Weeks prior to the event, members of Tabernacle set out to assess the needs of the community. Roger Walker says many people asked for clothing.
“Pastor thought it not be robbery to provide that,” Walker said.

Claudia Campbell, a volunteer at the event, said it was important to give the free clothing as a way to give back.

“So many people can’t afford nice clothes,” Campbell said. “Some of the clothes still have tags on them. We were told not to bring any clothes that we would not wear ourselves or clothes we wouldn’t want.”

The event was the kickoff to the pastor’s and church’s anniversaries.

“We are blessed,” said Roger Walker, chairman of the church’s and pastor’s anniversaries’ festivities. “We are the little church with the big and friendly heart. We love to give.”

Ruby Nicholson spends time with her grandkids Andrea Cross, 1, Izaiah Irvine, 5, and Joikyera Young-Bell, 6, during the May 3 community filled event.

Stephanie Lambert may be contacted at slambert@capitaloutlook.com.

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