KIMBERLY BELLAMY
Pinetops will have an event Saturday that is meant to bring out the young and the old for a day of fun and bonding.
A community day is being sponsored by the Regeneration Development Group at the Old Sparta Community Center from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The event will include free food, games, door prizes and a DJ, and everyone is encouraged to come.
“We’re really trying to get whole families to come out to know what’s needed in the community, to know how to better serve the community,” said Juanita Royal, youth advisor.
“It’s a day of fun that families can come out and enjoy.”
This is the second year that the organization has held the event, in an effort to continue practicing what the group is based on.
“Our mission is to develop programs that develop human resources … community revitalization,” said Johnnie Jordan, regional director.
In addition to the community days, the Regeneration Development Group has offered tutorial service, clothing drives, participated in Toys for Tots, and held a recurring food drive.
“Once a month, we have a mobile food pantry that is delivered from the Food Bank of NC in Greenville,” Jordan said.
The mobile food pantry is held every third Tuesday at Deliverance Temple Church in Pinetops.
There is also a stationary food pantry that operates on a smaller scale, and is located at Deliverance Church.
Jordan said that Regeneration Development Group usually feeds 80-100 families during the mobile pantry. To receive food, the only thing required in a photo I.D.
Regeneration Development Group is a non-profit organization that has chapters in Pinetops, Scotland Neck and Maryland, where the group was originated. They have been in existence in Pinetops since 1995.
Members from the other chapters will be in attendance Saturday to help with the operation of the community day.
Jordan said they have gotten much support with planning of the event this year.
“People are really willing to help … the Community Center donated their center free of charge,” she said.
“Last year, funds through the area businesses were instrumental in helping us have our community day,” said Royal.
This year, individual donations have been the main contributor to being able have the event.
