On Sunday, September 10th, the Herrin House of Hope came together with the Community of Faith Church to host their 12th annual Family Fun Day. Rain or shine, the church was going to put on their event to spread positivity and awareness. To start off the celebration of the 11 year of operation, the Herrin High School Band performed the Star Spangled Banner. John Steve, the sponsor of the Herrin House of Hope, gave a few words while everyone gathered around to listen to the kick off the start of the activities included in Family Fun Day. Along with Steve, Mayor Frattini of Herrin gave a few words as well. In those 11 years, over 400,000 hot meals were served, over 25,000 people were served through the auxiliary food pantry, over 450 GEDs were awarded through their onsite program with John A. Logan College, and many more people were served through other annual community service activities.

In addition to the short words given about the history of the House of Hope, Steve and the rest of the House of Hope family brought recognition to the family of Jeffery Gee, a very active member of the House of Hope, and a retired pastor of the Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church. He dedicated his life to donating what he could and trying to make other people’s lives better. Along with working with the House of Hope, Jeffery Gee had a bicycle recycling business where he took old broken down bikes and fixed them up to be in new condition, selling them for an affordable price. Steve brought recognition to the end of Jeffrey Gee’s life, where he died “doing what he loved, and anyone can see he was put in a good spot in heaven.”

Along with the kick off of the event, there was a car show. Starting at 12:00 pm, cars rushed in early paying ten dollars per car for the show. Judging of the cars in multiple different categories started at 3:30pm, and awards for the show were given at 5:00pm.

All in all, everyone there was excited to be in the presence of the annual Family Fun Day event, as it’s an event that  brings the  community together. Not only was it celebrated in a place where people can find sanctuary, it was also with people who live to help others. Nobody could be in a more friendly and accepting environment at the Family Fun Day event.