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Dribbling with Dads Draws Community Support
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Dads, with sons and daughters, plus community residents
participated in the 2015 Dribbling with Dads on Saturday,
June 20, 2015 on the grounds of the Frederick Douglas
Community Center.
“This is my second year serving as the master of ceremonies.
Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority has sponsored another
successful community event. It’s always important for
fathers to step up and participate in the lives of their
children,” said Christian Lee Kynard. |
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Festivities started with a community walk from the center,
down residential streets of Indiana, Hawley and Dorr before
returning to the center for family-oriented activities.
Junior Role Model Mentoring sponsored a mini basketball camp
and shoot out, families participated in a free-throw contest
and family basketball.
“This event is important for a few reasons. The number one
reason is because, we’re following this initiation from the
United States Housing and Urban development. This is our
fourth year, and attendance is larger than previous year.
Dribbling with Dads drew a lot of people here today, and
we’re encouraging dads to become more involved. That’s the
main reason why we’re at a community venue,” said Linnie
Willis, executive director, Lucas Metropolitan Housing
Authority.
Immediately following the free lunch, winners were announced
in the free-throw contest, family basketball contest,
coloring contests, lip sync contest, and essay contest.
“This fatherhood initiative is organized across the nation,
with over 1,000 participating agencies. Our objective is to
encourage males to participate in the lives of our youth.
This is also a way to say thank you to our fathers, and
we’ve heard positive feedback from fathers over the years.
I’m excited this event is a part of our region. The father
is a part of the family,” said Willie C.H. Garrett, EMPA,
Regional Public Housing Director of Region V.
Dribbling with Dads community supporters: Lucas Metropolitan
Housing Authority, Toledo Area Metroparks, Frederick Douglas
Community Center, Anaconda Sports, Toledo Youth Commission,
Toledo Zoo, Dairy Queen, UAW Region 2B, The Butterfly House,
Toledo Walleye, Toledo Mudhens, Skyway, MIX 95.7FM and radio
personality Brandi Brown, and the University of Toledo. All
participants received a free shirt and basketball during
registration.
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