Opp Housing Authority is hosting its fifth Annual Celebration of Fathers and Children: Helping Fathers and their families build and keep strong relationships this Sat., June 11, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

“We encourage you to encourage a father or a positive male role model to accompany a child to our fun day,” said Beverly Barber, executive director of the authority.

“It’s a national initiative, started by President Obama,” Barber said. “We try to encourage absent fathers to get back in their children’s lives; or get in their lives.”

Typically, about 200 people participate, Barber said, adding that she tries to balance making helpful resources available with a degree of fun.

“We’ll have door prizes for mothers, fathers, and children,” she said. “We have water slides for the children, and we’re grilling hotdogs and hamburgers.”

Music will be provided by Jimmy Culbreath of www.rhemasounds.com.

There will be a free concert at 1 p.m. featuring Gospel Rapper NUMIND. Barber said the young, edgy, and energetic Gospel Rapper group brings a lot to the table when it comes to their craft.

Also available will be health screenings from the Mizell Memorial Hospital; Covington County Health Department; the Medical AIDS Outreach Clinic out of Dothan and Montgomery will provide health awareness information; educational information from LBW and Wallace colleges, as well as male mentors from the community.

The event will take place at the Opp Housing Authority 800 Barnes Street from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on June 11th. This event is free for the entire community.

Sponsors include SRJ Architect, John and Maggie Bartholomew, CCB Bank, Southeast Alabama Gas District, Larry’s Prescriptions, Catrett Construction, Bowdoin Pest Control, Virgil K, and Publix.

For more information please contact the Opp Housing Authority at 334-493-9741.