East St. Louis family gives back to community, like their parents taught them

The fourth annual Emmafest for family, friends community members, business owners and whoever wants to attend will be held Oct. 5, beginning with a parade at 11 a.m. in East St. Louis.

The parade route extends from the old Clark School at 33rd and State Street to Jones Park where there will be train rides and a whole host of fun things to do.

“It’s a way of giving back to the community and a way of letting the children have a free, fun day, “ Jerome King said.

The festival, named after King’s mother, the late Emma King, is something the King family has done the last four years to honor her memory and to bring the community she loved dearly together. The event is funded by the non-profit Emma L. Wilson King Foundation.

“We want the children to run and frolic in Jones Park, right here in our own community,” he said. “We want families to know we care. We are hopeful a large number of people will come out and enjoy the day with us.”

The event will feature a 45-foot tall Ferris wheel, bounce house, pendulum rides and other attractions. And it’s all free.

Students from Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School will be on hand playing their violins, said King, one of Willie and Emma King’s 10 children.

“There will be three bands — the East St. Louis Senior High School band, the Cahokia Heights band, and the Madison High School Band,” said King. “When they get to the park at Argonne Drive, there is a green space there where the World War l Memorial is and the bands will do a band competition.”

Three centenarians will be honored including Dr. Katie L. Wright, a lifelong East St. Louis resident, who will turn 101 on Saturday, and Eloise Lewis, who is 101 and also a life-long resident. A third person, Scott Randolph is 93-years old. The three will be the Grand Marshal’s for the parade.

“We want to show young people there’s a lot to live for and to be respectful of,” King said.

About 40 vendors will be present, including Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, Land of Lincoln, Southern Illinois Healthcare, East Side Health District.

A 5K run and walk through Jones Park begins at 11 a.m.

A principle project for their King family is giving scholarships to gradating seniors at East St. Louis Senior High School, Cahokia High School and Madison High School, King said.

Since the King family started the organization, they’ve given out $65,000 in scholarships and have handed out more than 1,500 winter coats.

The family is also restoring the lily pond in Jones Park.

“It is all about giving back to our community. When our mother passed away in 2002, we started a 501 (c) 3 non profit (organization),” King said. “We’ve been basically involved in working with the kids, schools and the park district. We are all volunteers.”

Buying bricks and making donations to the King family’s non-profit helps them to continue doing things that are wholesome to the community and the children and families who live in East St. Louis.

“We grew up in the south end. All 12 of us are graduates of the former Lincoln Senior High School,” King said.

At least four siblings taught in the East St. Louis public schools. After 41 years working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, King moved back to East St. Louis and bought a house next to his childhood home.

“I wanted to live here in East St.:Louis where I grew up and give back to the community,” he said. “It’s important for African Americans to walk the talk. That’s what our mother and father were about. They taught us to give back.

“Our mother was a community mom.”

Individuals and corporations can donate to the Emma L. Wilson King Foundation by visiting the foundation website: emmalkingfoundation.org/home/donate/ .