Stop the Hate on 8/8/8–Report & Photos
Published by Joe Burgess August 9th, 2008 in In memory.
——-Friday Midnight Update——
Well over 300 people attended the Stop the Hate on 8/8/08 program at City Park Friday night.
Many churches were represented by either speakers or singers, and both MHS principal Kenny Pennington and DCHS principal Frank Ferguson spoke words of encouragement to the crowd.
Many sponsors helped by provided needed items such as fans, ice, bottled water, etc,
A special thank you goes out to Susan Davis and George Strain for organizitng this unique event.
T-shirts are still avaiable at LA Graphics, on the Monticello Square.
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Here’s a short word from Susan Davis.
Stop the Hate, was a huge success tonight. If you were unable to attend hopefully you will be there next year. I thought everyone did a great job. I think all would agree, that the Youth Choir’s, Dancer’s, and Steppers where the Icing on the Cake.
If tonight changed just one person’s life, it was all well worth it.
We had 308 people sign in but, I am sure there were some we missed. It was so beautiful to look at the walking track with all the Candles glowing.
Thank you everyone who has helped in anyway with making this what I feel was the best event ever held, in Monticello, AR. And thank you Governor for Proclaiming 8-8-08 Stop the Hate day.
A huge shout out Ricky and Judy Lattimore for holding this event in Dermott, AR, next year I hope we have many more communities join in.
I need to thank Kailyn Davis, Carol Moore, Kohl McCone, Lyna Gulledge, Flo Knapp, Amanda Moore, Kellie Moore, Miyosha Smith for coming forward to volunteer is setting things up, and Karen Parish w/the Ice House, and E.R. Pomeroy.
Thanks to my mom, as well, who drove many, many hours to surprise her baby girl.
Thank you all Caring Citizens for your support. We will be back bigger and better next year.
God Bless.
Susan Davis
Rememeber tonigh’s the night for the candlelight vigil. The program will begin around 8 p.m, more information about the begining of tonight’s program are included in the story below.
Stop the Hate 8-8-08 T-Shirts are being made and sold at LA Graphics, on the Monticello Square. They cost $10.00 with $2.00 from each sale going to the Event. Any money not used will be donated to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Monticello.
Friday night I was on-line emailing the Government in Little Rock and saw a place to submit for a Proclamation to the Governor, it stated they need a 30 day notice. So I thought, “oh well, if we can’t get one this year, there will be next year.” This morning, I received a phone call from the Governor’s office Ms. Keesa Smith, wanting some more information and letting me know that usually they do need 30 days notice. I sent in what she needed and this afternoon she called me back and said the Proclamation will be granted. Due to the short turn around time she needed to know if a email copy would be good enough for Friday night, until the Original could get here in the mail. Of course I said yes.
I had also checked the whether forecast for Friday and it showed to be a bit cooler that day, we will have some bottled water and large fans, so I hope the heat does not prevent everyone from coming out to what I believe will be a great time.
I need to also thank Kailyn Davis for posting a section on her Face book, emailing to about 100 people on her list and calling to Volunteer to help at the event.
For now God Bless and hope to see you on 8-8-08. Susan Davis
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It is hard to believe that only 10 day’s ago this was just idea that has now become to mean so much to many different people that I have spoke to. It truly could not have been made possible with out GOD and all of you.
Guest Singers include:
Susan Wishard- Enon Baptist Church
Youth Choir with Missionary Fist Baptist
Kennedy Blvd. Church of Christ Choir
Korsica Robinson
Revival Center Youth Choir
Joe Burgess-MonticelloLive.com and Northside Baptist
Guest Speakers include:
Pastor Robert Cook with Sweet Hope MB of Selma
Pastor David Jacks of Shady Grove Baptist Church
RV. D.J Buffington with Morning Star MB
John Wimberly student Pastor for Fist Assembly of God
Water donated by Pepsi of Monticello
Ice Donated by Triple A Pawn & Used Auto’s & Towing of Monticello, AR
Large cooling Fan donated by Bayird’s Discount Tires of Monticello, AR
Drew Farm Supply $20.00
Jade’s Supermarket of Hamburg, AR $20.00.
If you would like to donate Candle’s, Ice or a monetary donation please contact Susan Davis or George Strain. Also, I would like to thank Joann Trotter, Jennifer Bates, Mrs Strain, Sara Hartness and Miyoshi Smith for all the work you have done for this event.
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The update below posted on July 25, 2008.
I would like to thank the people of the Community to whom have reached out to offer help on this project.
So far we are still in need of any taper candles new or used will work.
We also need a sound system with microphone and tape/disc playing capabilities, and Ice for the bottles of water.
This is a project for ALL victims.
Susan Davis
The earlier full post is included below.
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The following story posted on July 12, 2008.
Please take a few minutes to read the e-mail I received from Susan Davis.
Her words sum up the feelings of so many Monticello people after the week that we have had.
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TO ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILY AND TO THE FRIENDS I HAVE YET TO MEET.
UPON RETURNING FROM OUR FAMILY VACATION, I CLICKED ON MONTICELLOLIVE TO SEE WHAT NEWS I HAD MISSED. MUCH TO MY SADNESS, THE DAYS THAT WE WERE GONE HAD BEEN FILLED WITH SUCH HORRIBLE CRIME AND VIOLENCE. IT MADE ME WISH I HADN’T GONE ONLINE. UNFORTUNATELY THAT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED THE EVENTS THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
WE SHOULD ALL HUG OUR FAMILIES A LITTLE TIGHTER, AND LET THEM KNOW EVERYDAY HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM.
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ON JULY 9, I WAS SITTING IN MY OFFICE, WHEN MR. WELLS STOPPED BY. WE BRIEFLY SPOKE ABOUT WHAT ALL HAD HAPPENED, AND I SAID, “LET’S HOLD A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL”, NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT I HAD SAID. HE SAID THAT HE WOULD CALL ME NEXT WEEK. WELL THAT HAS WEIGHED ON MY MIND HEAVILY SINCE THEN, AND I COULD NOT MAKE MYSELF WAIT.
I FOUND OFFICER GEORGE STRAIN, AND EXPLAINED TO HIM MY IDEA, AND WITHIN SECONDS HE SAID “WHAT DO YOU NEED ME TO DO?”
WITHIN THE NEXT 30 MINUTES, WE HAD THE LOCATION (McCLOY PARK) SECURED, A LIST OF PEOPLE WE WOULD NEED TO CONTACT, WHAT ITEMS WE WOULD NEED DONATED TO MAKE IT WORK (BOTTLED WATER, TAPER CANDLES AND COFFEE FILTERS) AND THE SPEAKERS TO CALL. “GOD TRULY DOES LIFT THAT HEAVINESS OFF OF YOU.”
ON AUGUST 8, 2008 (8/8/8) AT 8:00 P.M., EVERYONE IS TO COME TOGETHER AT McCLOY PARK. AT DUSK WE WILL LIGHT THE CANDLES AND HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF ALL VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.
WE WILL POST THE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, AS THEY ARE WORKED OUT. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS THAT WE CAN FILL THE WALKING TRACK AROUND THE PARK WITH LIGHTED CANDLES. WE NEED EVERYONE, AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE AROUND DREW COUNTY TO FULFILL THAT DREAM.
WE WILL BE MAKING MANY PHONE CALLS IN THE DAYS TO COME, BUT THE TRUTH IS, WE HAVE FULL TIME JOBS, AND FAMILIES TO CARE FOR.
WE ASK THAT EVERY BUSINESS, EVERY CHURCH OR PLACE OF WORSHIP, EVERY SCHOOL, EVERY CIVIC GROUP, CLUB OR ORGANIZATION, AND MOST OF ALL EVERY PERSON FROM DREW COUNTY AND/OR THE SURROUNDING AREAS TO PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF US TO HELP MAKE THIS ONE SIMPLE THING THE BIGGEST EVENT SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS HAS EVER SEEN.
YOU MAY CONTACT ME AT HOME: 870-367-7095 OFFICE: 870-460-6123 OR FAX ME A MESSAGE AT 870-460-6246. (PLEASE HAVE PATIENCE WITH ME IF I DON’T ANSWER, JUST LEAVE ME A MESSAGE WITH DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME PHONE NUMBERS. I WILL CALL YOU BACK.) OFFICER STRAIN HE IS ALWAYS AROUND TOWN OR AT MONTICELLO HIGH SCHOOL.
BY THE WAY, MR.WELLS, NEXT WEEK HAS ARRIVED.
WE THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THIS A SUCCESS!!!!
SINCERELY,
SUSAN DAVIS
Possibly Related:
This is Robin Smith (Nan’s Daughter)
I totally agree with the things that Susan said. There is way to much violence and assault and crualty in this world and in Monticello.
Listen I not the one to be talking becuz I have made my share of mistakes in my lifetime. but the key is to all of it,is that I admitted it and i am trying to change all i was into all i can be that is better. I found a wonderful church and a Great Pastor and a church family that God led me and my family to. See God is there u just have to let him in and hand your problems to him and say GOD… I can’t do this without you and you are the only one that can make me right and my life as it should be. I want every one in Monticello to know that by no means is everyone perfect but with God as your strength and your soul provider and all in your life as you see him to be…the Holy One and the only one in your life that died for u and saved you from all that is unholy. Ask yourself where u stand .
In all may i say as a candle lights our way may God light your soul so u as indidvidual may find your way to peace, and GOD.
If you need any help or such as to find peace or help with an addiction : on Monday nights. @6:00pm @ First Assembly of God Chuch (on the highway)
**** OVERCOMERS GROUP
6pm Building 2
Supper included
FREE
Susan.. I believe that is a fantastic idea! What better way to help people realize just how rampant the violence is in Monticello and Drew County! Maybe it was God speaking to you and giving you the perfect way to help people and become more involved in the safety and welfare of our community. I’m willing to do whatever I can to help with this..I’m going to talk to our pastor and see if there’s something that we can do as a church to help. Courtland Jones was a faithful member of our teenagers group and he will be missed by alot of people there. If there’s anything that I can do to help, please let me know!
Hey Susan, let me know what you need done and we will get the Swim Team and Drew Central Cheerleaders to help. Call Me.
Thank you to everyone who has contacted me. We are still in need of Candles and something to place on them to catch the wax.
What kind of candles do you need and how many of them.. I’m going to contact my church and see if they can be of help on this matter… just what do you want for catching the wax.. Robin and I will see just what we can do on this.. keep us informed as to the needs.. Later!
I have email, left messages or tried to call as many of the local churches as I could if you have not heard from myself, George Strain or Jennifer Bates than please give one of us a call. Thank you Rebecca Newton for the suggestion for catching the candle wax, I believe we will use it. We still need Candles and help at the event. Again thank you all. Susan
Again thank you all your your help. Right now all we need is Long Candles. I all so would like to encourage all of the Youth to come out and show their support.
Great job Susan. The Lord had awakened me on three early mornings and unctioning me to move forward on a youth revival NOW! He let me know that the problem with our youth are not isolated, but we were in need of breaking many barriers to accomplish His great commission. Our first mission is to reach out to our children.
So, this event is great. We appreciate you and we will be sure to give you the support you need.
I am a member of Revival Center Church and pastor announced the event today. So our church is supporting ya.
I am inviting everyone to join us in our upcoming youth revival. So, we’ll be getting back with the community on it. Right now a tentative date has been scheduled for Aug. 13-15.
God Bless You
Thank you very much. I am very glad that your Church is planning an event. We will have some really great talent that night I can’t wait to hear them all. Give me a call I need to let you in on some things planned for a couple of those dates. 723-4508
Would you please provide a phone number for Susan Davis or George Strain for those who want to make a donation?
Susan Davi 723-4508 Thank you.
Thank you for this great idea. I am the Youth Director @ Pilgrim Rest Church and we will be supporting this event. I will be bringing items to you as a donation for this event also.
George and I, thank you all for the support in the ‘Stop the Hate’ event. I am glad to say that everything is moving along better than ever expected. I would like to thank the following people for there donations: Ms. Lou Lambert, Mr. Steve Morley, Ms. Shirley Hill and Ms. Burgess. It is no secret that Southeast Arkansas seems to get left out of many things, but what an event we have awaiting for us on 8-8-08. I truly appreciate Monticellolive and the Advance for their coverage of the event. I had sent out a email to all of the TV stations in Arkansas and never received a response. So I am going to give you all the web addressee to those and if you want to show the State what we can do, just take a moment and email them about the event, and how you feel about it and lets see if we can get someone to notice, Monticello as a Community coming together to make a difference.
katv.com todaysthv.com ktve.com ketg.com klrtfox16.com kasn.com khbs.com kait8.com
I plan on contacting the following by email tonight Rep. Mike Ross, http://www.ross.house.gov http://www.lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html Gov. Mike Beebe Attorney Gen. Dustin McDaniel and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. So feel free to join in. Thank you all and I can’t wait to see you all on 8-8-08. Susan Davis
I feel that this is a wondeful idea that is long OVERDUE!! This should be a time where the community comes together for our youth. Too much is going on and something needs to be done. I am in full support of this vigil and hope it could continue on past 8/8/08. I encourage this all the way! Lets pull together and be there for our young people. I am only 27 now, but not too long ago I was in their shoes and looked for support. I can only do the same for our future!
For once this is something worthe the time and effort for our community to support in full force cause as a whole we are losing our youths to much destruction and maybe this is AWAKE UP call for all to pay more attention to the things around them. Susan this one time I truly agree with you for that you had done to pull this off and every child should be there and parents , just keep up the good work and GOD will Bless you………………..
Well the Good Lord will take care of us, but the devil sure is trying us today.
George and I will be at the Park setting things up at 7:00 p.m. The event will start at 8:00p.m. If you are on the line up please be there by 7:45.
And Hopeful, I hope to see you there.
I was blessed and everything worked out GREAT Thank you Mrs Davis and Mr. George for letting the Lord use you and your hard work to prove Monticello Cares!!!! The singing was GREAT{ MONTICELLO HAS TALENT )
I just want to let the Monticello Community know that I am so proud to see the action you have taken to bring awareness to the violence. My prayers are with you all for your inspiring deeds and service. God bless Monticello!
Everyone that participated in a big or even the smallest way did so not to be noticed but to make our community and county NOTICE. Notice the strength that we have when we choose to join together. Thank you to Susan, George and the community of Monticello for allowing each of us to be a part. God Bless and keep us ALL safe. We have been a part of something magnificent.