Vocalist Angela Linthicum performs "Help Us To Love" during the Day of Hope event conducted by the Neighboring Initiative Charitable Trust on Saturday, May 21, 2022, outside of the Erma Ora Byrd Clinical Center in Huntington.
Vocalist Angela Linthicum performs "Help Us To Love" during the Day of Hope event conducted by the Neighboring Initiative Charitable Trust on Saturday, May 21, 2022, outside of the Erma Ora Byrd Clinical Center in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ This year is the 20th anniversary of the tragic deaths of four teens on May 22, 2005.
Each year since that night, churches and organizations throughout the City of Huntington have come together to observe a citywide ƵDay of HopeƵ in honor of Eddrick Clark, 18, of South Point, Ohio; Michael Dillon, 17, of Huntington; Megan Posten, 16, of Barboursville; and Donte Ward, 19, of Huntington.
This yearƵs Day of Hope will be Saturday at the A.D. Lewis Community Center, 1450 A.D. Lewis Ave. The event, beginning at 1 p.m., will have the theme, ƵGod Turned it Around.Ƶ
The purpose of the day of remembrance each year has been to Ƶspread hope for both now and tomorrow,Ƶ according to the Neighboring Initiative Charitable Trust (NICT), a faith-based community organization that oversees the event and sponsors a prayer and memorial service each year on the third Saturday of May.
Bishop Darrell Buttram, pastor of 10th Avenue Church of God and member of the NICT Board, said the board was originally tasked with recognizing victims of unsolved violent crimes in the area before focusing on the teensƵ case.
In 2007, the All Saints Anglican Church in Barboursville stepped in and bought the site where the teens were killed, 1410 Charleston Ave., in the hopes of turning it into a permanent memorial called the Hope House. Townhouses now stand at that address.
ƵSo this event has been our ongoing memorial,Ƶ Buttram said, adding itƵs a showcase of how God is creating healing within the Huntington community.
Time has passed for the victimsƵ families, Buttram said, and some now have grandchildren. But this event still stands as an opportunity for them to continue their healing process.
Overall, he said attendees have the chance to gather with local faith leaders to see where the city has been in terms of violent crime, whoƵs been lost, and how itƵs moving forward.
Ƶ(We) continue to come together, not just to reflect, but to see where weƵre going,Ƶ Buttram said.
Mitch Webb, executive director of the Huntington City Mission, will give a keynote address.
ƵIn addition to remembering the victims of unsolved homicides and encouraging their families, the event has gradually grown to encompass other aspects of encouragement throughout our communities,Ƶ organizers said in a news release.
This year, the Steven L. Ferguson Award will be presented to Gary A. Turner, a retired Huntington firefighter, in Ƶhonor (of) successful leading men in the African American community,Ƶ according to the release.
Testimonials from those overcoming substance use disorder will be shared, and a scholarship fund from Marshall University in honor of the four teens will be given out.
Buttram said the scholarship, officially called the Day of Hope (Eddrick Clark, Michael Dillon, Megan Posten and Donte Ward) Scholarship, is primarily for students studying criminal justice and forensic science.
Katelyn Aluise is an education and court reporter.
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