LUMBERTON — Family Fun Day was more than a day of fun for the family.
It was also a chance to boost the spirits of South Lumberton residents and to make sure a community hit hard by Hurricane Matthew is not forgotten as a city ravaged by the storm rebuilds itself.
The three-hour event held Saturday at W.H. Knuckles Elementary was sponsored by BB&T. W.H. Knuckles was one of the hardest hit schools during the Oct. 8 storm and the flooding that followed, with so much damage to its kitchen and cafeteria that meals had to be brought to the school for the remainder of the year.
Those who attended were treated to food, fellowship and some fun, such as line dancing and games and activities for the children.
It was a great way to give back and make ant impact, said Shelley Jernigan, a volunteer from BB&T who coordinated the event. It was important that “kids learn to communicate and work together.”
“We provided the space, but the parents, kids and community have been inspired by our hard work and keeping the community together,” Jernigan said.
Jernigan said said the bank provided 250 box fans, hygiene products, and canned goods in the days after Hurricane Matthew.
It was good to see new faces working to help South Lumberton, said Eric Sanders, who just finished his first year as principal of Knuckles. The community, already impoverished, was hit hard by flooding from the nearby Lumber River, and hundreds of residents lost their homes, and few have been able to return as recovery efforts plod forward.
Antonio Daniels brought Rooster Roo Puppet Ministry, a hip hop show, to lend an artistic element to the event.
Robeson Early College High School students were present to ensure that things would run smoothly.
“I think the kids really enjoy Family Fun Day,” said Tara Sinclair, an Early College teacher and Fun Day volunteer.
She wants the students to participate in such events to learn the importance of community.
“I think it brings more attention to Lumberton after the flood. It’s also an uplift for this side of town.” said Nathan Sinclair, a South Lumberton resident and Jernigan’s nephew.
“It’s so good to see a lot of people because many lost things that were tangible and can never be replaced, except memories,” said Kevin Davis, a youth pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Lumberton..
Davis said he has lived in Lumberton for 51 years.
“I can reconnect with people I grew up with since childhood,” he said of Family Fun Day.