FLINT TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -
(07/24/12) - A Flint man who is tired of the city's high crime rate thinks things will improve if people get to know each other better. So he's organizing a community event this Saturday that should be fun for all.
Every day at Eric Lockhart's Simcoe Avenue home, neighborhood children gather to have fun and play games. It made him think: if they could get along together, maybe it would work on a larger scale. So he's planning a community get-together this Saturday. The theme will be cooperation.
"I believe the people of Genesee County are tired of what's going on, but we as people are not heard when we stand over here and keep our moths quiet. We can whisper this and whisper 'we don't like it, we don't like it.' But if we all congregate together, it will show more dedication. More people will take it serious. We promote no more murder in Genesee County. I have shirts that says C.O.P. on the front. City of Peace underneath," said Eric Lockhart of the Tab Foundation.
An afternoon of fun at Flint Township's Carman Plaza will feature live music, food and door prizes.
All this is free, Lockhart said.
Lockhart's step-daughter, Tabitha Ford, uses a wheelchair. It's with her in mind that he planned wheelchair races. Any wheelchair user is invited.
"They're racing around a track. They're going to be mocked up like NASCAR," Lockhart said.
Wheelchair racers will receive a free backpack. Other events for the disabled are planned.
A unique wishing well will be there, too.
"This is actually a magical wheel. This wheel is for people to throw money into and hope that things get better for them," he said.
The free community event is this Saturday, July 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bridge Church parking lot in the Carman Plaza off of Corunna Road in Flint Township, near the Kroger Supermarket.
