After a fire earlier this month burned out eight families from a McComb apartment building, killed a man and injured two others, a group of local preachers decided to try to help those affected.
They’re holding a barbecue fundraiser 10 a.m. Saturday at Advance Auto Parts on Presley Boulevard to raise money for the victims of the Nov. 6 fire at Community Parks Apartments. Plates are $8. Donations can also be made through CashApp to communitypservice.
For Bro. Dwight Martin of 24th Street Church of Christ, it’s a personal mission.
“I lived in Community Parks for about 18 years,” he said. “That particular part of the city is still dear to my heart.”
He recalled the closeness of the neighborhood, those who are still there and others, like himself, who ended up leaving it and making their own homes elsewhere.
“It has always been a stepping stone for somebody who needs a place to stay so they can buy their own home,” he said.
But he’s also aware of the fact that many of the people who stay there do so because of economic reasons, and rental insurance is a rare luxury for many residents in the sprawling complex.
“Most people in there, they didn’t have rental insurance,” he said. “But we have the responsibility to help them. We have to, as a community, share what we have with those who are in need.”
From left are Elder Kelvin Williams, the Rev. Dwight Lee, the Rev Donald Burkes, Bishop John Bates, the Rev. Dwight Martin, McComb Police Chief Garland Ward, Elder Frederick Barnes and the Rev. Mickell Conerly.
Martin, whose church is clear across town, has banded with churches across McComb to lead the effort, including Society Hill Missionary Baptist, Rose Hill Free Will Baptist, Walker’s Chapel Free Will Baptist, Flower Mount Missionary Baptist, St. Mary United Free Will Baptist, Abundant Life Church, St. Paul United Methodist, New Dimensions Fellowship, Robinson Memorial Church, Mount Olive Baptist, Community of Believers Fellowship, Bethel A.M.E. and New Life Fellowship.
“We saw an opportunity to be able to give back and serve our community,” Martin said. “We saw there was a need, so we called a group of preachers and community leaders and just people in the community to make sure that we can help the people that were affected. Different churches and people in the community, including the City of McComb, have committed to being able to help with this.”
Bishop John Bates, whose Rose Hill congregation has been firmly planted in Burglund around Community Parks for decades, also felt obligated to help, considering some of the church’s members have direct connections to the housing complex.
“All of us right here in Burglund, we felt that since we’re right here in the community we need to play a big part in this,” he said.
While the fire severely damaged half of the units in Building 4, others sustained severe smoke and water damage, essentially ruining everything.
“They need clothes, they need shoes, they need beds, they need everything,” Bates said. “Some of them are staying in motels and with different family members.”
