There were grins, hugs, high fives, and squeals of delight at Linden Community Center yesterday as we kicked off our Summer Block Party Series with Columbus Division of Police and Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Linden Center Manager and Starfish Board Member Mario Dovell arranged for all sorts of games for kids, parents, and officers to enjoy together, including basketball, cornhole, and golf putting lessons. There was a prize wheel with some really fantastic prizes (that corner looked like Christmas it was so full of toys) and the 614cadets staffed a table where they gave away CPD swag and amazing books and items from our partners at the 2nd & 7 Foundation.
Community partners distributed information about health care and social programs. Some of our dear friends from the RREACT Team were there, and we were thrilled to be able to say hello to them. They are members of CPD and Columbus Division of Fire who, among other things, visit people who recently suffered from opioid overdoses and try to get them into recovery. At our event, they gave away Narcan and gun locks to anyone who needed them.
Our sponsor Byers Auto Group arranged for a series of cars to come in for all of us to see, the coolest of which were probably two Lamborghinis. Wow, did they capture everyone's attention!
We're so grateful to Byers for their support and guidance on this event, and to Pepsi and Roosters for providing drinks and food. We hope to see you at one of our three remaining events!
July 16, noon-3pm, Barack Community Center, 580 E Woodrow Ave
July 23, noon-3pm, Far East Community Center, 1826 Lattimer Dr
July 30, 4-7pm, Glenwood Community Center, 1888 Fairmont Ave
