Event inspires community to stand against violence

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — The organization Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children highlighted the importance of bringing the community together on Sunday.

The group hosted a fun festival aimed at inspiring more people to make Columbus safer for everyone.

The event had everything, from Chromebook raffles to a chance at winning a new television, but as MOMCC west side leader Brenda Johnson said, everyone left the event carrying the underlying message of unity.

Watch: Event inspires community to stand against violence

“It’s just people coming together from all walks of life, you know, from everywhere on all sides of town, just to come together as one,” Johnson said.

This marked the fourth year for the festival. Champion Middle School hosted the event and the space was filled with games, food and two DJs for everyone to enjoy.

Still top of mind throughout the day was the goal of keeping homicides in the city under triple digits; as of Monday, when Columbus police last released statistics, that number was at 87.

The middle school’s matriculation coach Elizabeth Stanley knows that’s why an event like this is so important.

“Bring everybody together, help curb some of the violence that we’re having with our youth here in my neighborhood, in this particular neighborhood,” Stanley said.

The festival showcases the significance of reaching out to everyone in our community and letting people know they have resources available and support around them, and that they are not alone.

“I keep saying, you know, there’s more that brings us all together than tear us apart and this kind of, like, puts a lid on it,” Johnson said.

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