You helped bring our community together!
Unity in the Community: What exactly does that mean? To one young girl it meant asking her friends to bring school supplies to her birthday party instead of presents. She had heard about Uni-Fest and wanted to donate everything to Uni-Fest to help her local community friends that she may never even meet! What a beautiful example of giving and caring.
One Hope Ministries International would like to extend a deeply heart-felt “Thank you!” to everyone that participated in and supported Uni-Fest 2011. Even with the forecast calling for 70 mph winds, down pours and hail we still had our biggest turn out of volunteers and families lining up by 12:30 that afternoon! As prayers were said the clouds parted and God’s glory continued to shine down on the field for the remainder of the day!
Children received book bags with school supplies and free clothing to help them get started for their first day of school. Everyone enjoyed the free hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Children were running and playing in the game area or having a blast taking turns jumping in one of the five inflatables. Children and parents were walking around smiling with their newly face painted and what a remarkable job everyone did creating different faces. Parents and high school students were filling out job applications, college applications, or financial aid papers. The social service area was busy sharing all their services they have to offer with all ages.
A three-on-three basketball tournament captured others attention. Young children were enjoying their very first horse back ride while their parents sat back enjoying seeing their children smile or capturing a picture that will be a family favorite. Prayers were being said over families, children that are ill, individuals that just needed to know that someone truly cares for them. Many children were receiving free sports physicals and checks up that they normally can not afford. Area churches that participated were able to connect one on one with the community and both have made new friends. Even hair cut certificates were handed out to the children through out the event. To help cool off children were enjoying a fresh smoothie or a cold bottle of water. All ages, genders and races came together to enjoy a beautiful day with no worries of having to reach in their pocket to have a great time.
Even though the heat was bearing down everyone was happy and enjoying a peaceful, stress free, fun filled day of just being together as a community and pulling together as a community. All of this would be impossible if it wasn’t for the generous help from our local businesses, churches, individuals and organizations.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO: Berkeley County Board of Education, Martinsburg High School, South Middle School, International Beauty School, Graphic Tee’s, Parsons KIA of Winchester, Wee Cycle, Tastefully Simple, Chick-fil-A, Domino’s Pizza of Martinsburg, Costco of Leesburg and Winchester, Lowes Home Improvement of Martinsburg, Martinsburg Fire Fighters, Home Depot, Martins Chips, Reddy Ice, Home Solutions 4 U, KWS Auto Detailing, M.I.M.E. in Motion Entertainment, 2 Cha Cha 4 Words, Valley College of Martinsburg, Edward Jones of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Rita’s Ice, SMX Staffing, Tropical Smoothie, Falling Waters Campsite, Weis Markets, Holiday Hair, 1 Nation Barber Shop, College Foundation of West Virginia, Children’s Home Society, My Father’s House, Vision Hair Salon, Outlook for Hair, Carnival Face Painting, Steps to Victory Garden, Jessica McCoy, KidZone Entertainment, Susie the Clown, 365 Church, Bethel Assembly of God, Hedgesville Assembly of God, Harvest Community Church, New Life Community Church, Pikeside Methodist Church, Redeeming Grace Fellowship, Valley View Chapel, WorshipLife, The Martinsburg Journal, Buyers Guide, 97.5 Lite FM, www.Your4State.com – Channel 25 TV and In The Panhandle.com.
The 7th Annual Uni-Fest will be held Sunday, August 12, 2012 from 5-7PM. If you’d like to volunteer, sponsor, partner,or set up with our Job fair or social service area please contact us at unifest@onehopeministriesinternational.org or call 304-261-4007 as we are beginning the first stages of planning for next year. Thank you for supporting a wonderful day of “Unity the Community!”