The Free to Worship Revival Center’s event, Peace in the Streets, will be taking place Sept. 24 at Soddy-Daisy Veterans Memorial Park, pictured here.The Free to Worship Revival Center in Soddy-Daisy is preparing to host its first-ever Peace in the Streets event Saturday, Sept. 24. Entrance is free, though a variety of goods will be available for purchase.
The event, being held at Soddy-Daisy Veterans Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., was borne as a fundraiser for the church to purchase a new roof. However, after seeing news of continued violence in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Cindy Bellmore and her fellow event planners decided to turn it into
something more.
There will be a car show attended by several classic car clubs in the area such as the Scenic City Cruisers. In addition, the event will feature vendor tables throughout the park selling homemade goods and crafts. Teen Challenge, an advocacy group for teenagers dealing with drug addiction, will be on-site grilling food for attendees.
Not all the proceeds will be going toward the church. Some of the funds raised will go to the local branch of Teen Challenge to help further its cause of getting at-risk teens off drugs and away from violence.
“This definitely grew into something more than we thought it would be,” Bellmore said of the fundraiser. “We’re excited to see how much further it will grow and impact the community.”
Members of Teen Challenge will be presenting testimonials on violence and addiction at the event. Bellmore said the primary goal is to spread awareness regarding addiction, and to hopefully give hope to those who are struggling.
“We want to let them know there’s a better answer [than drugs],” she said. “I believe we can help make a difference, and would love to see something change as a result.”
With any luck, Bellmore said, Peace in the Streets will become an annual affair and continue to inspire unity in the community.
For more information about the event, contact Cindy Bellmore at 244-7204.
Email Shane Foley at sfoley@timesfreepress.com.