Expo shines light on good works in neighborhoods groups
Locals visit some of the many vendors offered at the Project WE CARE!Neighborhood Expo on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Photo by Tevin Stinson
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
It’s no secret that neighborhood groups, and non-profit organizations, play an important role in shaping the community we live in, but often they don’t receive the praise they deserve.
To show their appreciation for organizations and individuals who volunteer their time to helping others, last Saturday, Dec. 3, the city sponsored the Project WE CARE! Neighborhood Expo. Hosted annually by the Community and Business Development Department, this year the event featured free lunch and entertainment. More than two dozen vendors were also on hand to provide information on some of the services the city has to offer.
Initiated by Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian H. Burke, Project WE CARE! started in 2009 after a national call for community service by President Barack Obama. Kathryn Mobley, city Marketing and Communications video producer and emcee for the expo, said although she had already spent most of her life doing community service, at the time Burke started the project she was inspired to do more.
“She recognized the importance of honoring people who demonstrate civic pride by giving of themselves to other people,” Mobley said.
“She reminded us that this is the right thing to do. It’s what makes us able to call where we live home and to feel proud about it.”
As she stood before the hundreds of volunteers inside the Fairgrounds Education Building, Burke said, “From the bottom of my heart I thank you for caring about this city.”
She mentioned the one thing she regrets about Project WE CARE! is that she was unable to get Washington to recognize the wonderful things that are going on here in Winston-Salem.
“We’re probably one of the most forward cities in the country when it comes to volunteerism,” she said. “It appears President Obama will leave office without knowing the great work we are doing, but we will continue to work to make sure Washington recognizes all the great work you do.”
After lunch, each community organization in attendance received a certificate of recognition and a button marking the occasion. Chris Mack and Twanda Montgomery, community assistance liaisons and event coordinators, also made a special presentation honoring Burke for her hard work to make the city a better place for everyone.
Mack said, “We are proud to take this opportunity to recognize an outstanding visionary leader in Winston-Salem by the title of Dr. Vivian H. Burke.
“Our city has always been outstanding in com-ing together, and Dr. Burke has played a major part in that.”
When discussing the future of the event, Mack seemed confident that the expo will continue to grow as more associations and organizations become available in the community.
“This program started out small with big vision and each and every year this program tends to break the record for attendance,” Mack said.
