Times staff report
Upper Echelon Promotions hosted its first Annual Fun Day and School Supply give away last month in the Elyton Village Community.
The focus of the event was to provide school supplies that would assist the children as well as their parents for the start of the school year.
Raymond Thomas, of Upper Echelon, said he grew up on the west side of town and remembered when there were a lot of kids in the community who didn’t have school supplies.
“I witnessed a lot of kids that really needed the support and didn’t have anyone there and my heart poured out to them which made me feel a need to come out and be a blessing to them,” Thomas said.
Hundreds of supplies where given to the children. Free food was provided and free haircuts were available for the kids. The event provided a moonwalk, face painting, and a live D J for the children enjoyment.
Thomas and Ken Bibbs, of Upper Echelon Promotions, said they are looking to expand and continue the event each year.
“I was ever so humbled by the outcome of the event and thankful that me and my company ( co-owner Upper Echelon Promotions) could help so many,” Thomas said.
Upper Echelon worked in conjunction with Vanessa Shields and the staff of the Eylton Village Community Center. Others who assisted included barbers Tre Neal (Global Cuts), Frederick Hawkins, and Reginald Franklin; Tracey Johnson (T-Shirt Millionaires); DJ Pistol Pete Taylor, Attorney Jeanetta Pleasant (Carter Law Firm), Office Max; Freewill Records Inc.; Helen Hayes, U Name It Party Rentals, and Frederick and Angela Hawkins who provided donations.
