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Philinda Moore, Kelvin Collins and Cameron Faulkner discuss Valley Youth Academy with city leaders.

City leaders OK Fun Day September 2

The Valley Youth Foundation will be holding its sixth annual Valley Fun Day at Sims Park on West Valley Street opposite the old Sims School.

The purpose of the fun day, according to Kelvin Collins, is “to lay a foundation for kids and make things easier for their futures.”

The event is scheduled for September 2, the Satur­day before Labor Day.

Collins said the program is similar to Council on Social Work Education’s MyFP, a minority fellowship program. It works to reduce the effects of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities by increasing the number of racial/ethnic minority individuals who are trained to work with the underserved at-risk youth.

Collins said the program aims to help youth live healthy lives and to live longer, to become entrepreneurs, etc.

“All of us grew up on Valley Street. It will always be home,” he said. “We ask God to show us a way to support the community, and to make one child’s life better is enough.”

Philinda Moore, with the non-profit, said the organization seeks to empower youth in the areas of sports, academics and communication.

“Everybody wants their kids to have a fair chance at life,” Collins said.

“We brought it to the table so you will know what we have going on,” Moore added.

Cameron Faulkner, with the Valley Youth Academy, said he has family in Holly Springs and he comes back to help with the fun day.

“We are working to have something for kids the rest of the year,” he said.

Mayor Kelvin Buck liked the idea.

“You are speaking the language we want to hear,” he said. “You come with the idea to help meet some of the challenges of youth. We need people who are going to give some time. The city can do a lot more when we have more people as a team.”

The day begins at noon and goes to about 11 p.m. There will be waterslides, bouncers and games for the kids.

After hours there will be a live band.

Ward 2 alderman Lennell Lucas said he was impressed to be approached by Collins about the project.

Before leaving, Moore asked if the city would provide a larger tent for the people to eat under.

Alderman Tim Liddy also was interested in the activity.

“We have people come all the time asking us what are we going to do,” he said. “So, it is nice to see someone come and offer to do something.”

The community is invited to the event, Collins said.

Holly Springs South Reporter

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Holly Springs, MS 38635
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