Memphis Community Rallies Together in Response to School Threats
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In light of recent threats towards Memphis schools, which have caused waves of concern among parents and students alike, a local church is stepping up to turn those fears into something uplifting. The Word Church of Memphis, located on Park Avenue, hosted a generous event on September 21, 2024, distributing thousands of essential school supplies, water, and snacks to students in the community—all for free!
A Community Concern
The backdrop to this heartwarming event was anything but comforting. Since Wednesday, September 18, a series of alarming threats emerged within the Memphis Shelby County School (MSCS) district, prompting multiple schools to go on lockdown. Understandably, this raised anxiety levels for parents and children who just want to feel safe in their learning environments.
“I have two children myself, one’s in high school and as a senior, and one’s in eighth grade and middle school,” shared Pastor Aaron Litzsey of The Word Church. His candid admission of concern echoed the feelings of many in the community. “When we heard the news, we were all kind of on the edge of our seats.” This prompted Pastor Litzsey and the church’s team to think creatively about how they could bring a positive light to what could have been a very negative scenario.
Turning Worry into Action
Pastor Litzsey explained how the church collaborated with Urban Promise 901 and various other community partners to source thousands of items, including notebooks, pens, folders, and other school supplies. With the goal of helping students and families feel supported during these turbulent times, the church decided to host this impactful event.
To their delight, over 500 people showed up throughout the day, including teachers, students, and parents alike. “You just never know how many people are gonna come out,” said Damon Noel, a church member and volunteer, who was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. “But there were numerous people who dropped by to express their gratitude or to ask what we were doing. It really felt like a community effort.” The overwhelming response underscored a deep-seated yearning for community support in challenging times.
More than Just Supplies
Beyond the physical items being donated, this event served as a boost to morale for students, parents, and teachers working in a highly stressful environment. “One of the models that we use here is just to show them love, and that’s every day,” said Pastor Litzsey. He emphasized the importance of listening to kids who might be enduring anxiety and frustration in the wake of recent events. “This was an opportunity for us to boost their morale, support families, and just show love to students.”
Inspiring Community Commitment
The event succeeded not only in addressing immediate needs but also in igniting a spirit of unity and hope. Pastor Litzsey hopes the actions taken by the church will inspire more individuals and organizations to step up and support Memphis’ youth, especially in tough times like these. “We all have a part to play in creating a nurturing environment for our kids,” he said, rallying the community to embrace the sentiment of love and support.
As the day wrapped up, it was evident that in a time filled with uncertainty and worry, communities can come together to spread joy and offer much-needed assistance. Memphis, through this kind-hearted initiative, showed that love and support can prevail, even when fear seems to loom around.
