COMMUNITY UNITY
Neighborhood comes together for annual anti-violence festival
TROY >> The North Central Neighborhood Community Center, in partnership with several other community organizations, hosted the fifth annual Unity in the Community Anti-Violence Back to School Festival on Saturday afternoon in Freedom Square.
This year’s event included free
food, live entertainment, a 50/50 raffle, face painting, arts and crafts and a bounce house for kids, with backpacks distributed to all children from kindergarten through 12th grade in attendance. Last year’s event delivered 940 full backpacks and served about 2,000 plates of food.
The North Central Neighborhood Community Center
is a nonprofit organization and relies on fundraising and donations. All donations are tax deductible.
“This event [kicks] off the fifth year of creative resident-driven activities that show the unity and dedication of those who live here,” said Joycelyn Henderson, fundraising coordinator for the event.
“We feel that the best start to turn positive is to do positive.”
The event was sponsored by Stewart’s Shops, CocaCola, Freihofer’s, Hannaford
Supermarkets, Disabled American Veterans of New York, Combat Veterans Association 19-1, Veterans of Lansingburgh, 1199 SEIU, City of Troy, Troy Fire Department, Holy Serenity Church and Cityreach Church of Troy and was presented in partnership with Trinity Alliance, The Block Center, Step Up Pull ’Em Up, Leaders Leading Troy’s Youth, The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Troy Central Little League, An Act of Kindness and Team Hero.