Housing Authority to celebrate fathers, children

Published 12:02 am Friday, June 19, 2015

Residents are encouraged to come and celebrate fathers and children at the Opp Housing Authority’s fourth annual Father’s Day Celebration tomorrow.

The celebration is held with the support of the community, and is a day that helps build and keep strong relations between children and their fathers, Opp Housing Authority Executive Director Beverly Bell-Barber said.

“We’re trying to bridge the gap between the households with a single parent, and those who don’t have fathers in them by trying to encourage much participation,” Bell-Barber said.

There will be a lot of chances to participate in many of the activities at the event, which lasts from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Bell-Barber said admission to the event is free. There will be free picnic food served, games, a water slide, bouncy houses and entertainment from gospel rapper, Sarg.

Bell-Barber said Sarg will take the stage at 1 p.m. and is an act no one will want to miss.

“Anybody can come,” she said. “We’re encouraging everybody to come, especially for this concert.”

Bell-Barber said Sarg is an energetic and young rapper.

“He’s a young guy in his mid 20s, and full of energy and life, and someone we feel the community would love to see perform,” she said.

Additionally, former Seattle Seahawk and one of Opp’s own, James Logan, will be in attendance for fans.

Throughout the day, there will be a DJ on hand providing entertainment for the crowd, Bell-Barber said.

The event will be held in the field next to the housing authority’s office at 800 Barnes Street in Opp.

Tables will be set up for those who would like information on medical AIDS outreach, legal services, banking, education and recruiting services, all for free.

Bell-Barber said the aids outreach will provide free tests for those who want to be tested.

Sponsors, along with community donations, have helped put this event on each year, Bell-Barber said.

“The entire event is supported by the community,” she said. “In past years, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) asked public housing authorities to hold something around Father’s Day that has a goal of connecting dads back to their children.”