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Wonderful things can result from different groups uniting with a mission to brighten the lives of the people -- especially the children -- of their community. Last Saturday's "Cops, Pops and Community" at Wheeling's Heritage Port provided a shining example of the success that can come from that teamwork.
The Ziegenfelder Company, the Wheeling-based business that is the United States' largest manufacturer of Twin Pops, the Wheeling Police Department, YSS, the YWCA of Wheeling, Men of Change and others, came together on "Cops, Pops and Community" as a way to unify people in the area after times of turbulence.
When the event originally was conceived last year, it was to smooth the waters following examples of riots and social injustice. After the COVID-19 pandemic grabbed hold of the Ohio Valley, last weekend's event also provided a fun time for children and families looking for something to do now that pandemic restrictions have been removed.
And there was plenty to do at Heritage Port. Children bounced, climbed and slid on inflatables as their parents took photos and videos. Disney princesses helped kids string beads to make bracelets and necklaces.
Children joined Wheeling police officers in three-legged relays and potato sack races. Everyone was able to enjoy free hot dogs, chips, sodas and popsicles as a DJ kept everybody dancing with high-energy music.
As meaningful as it was to help families have some summer fun, the event held another level of importance, as Men of Change member Ron Scott mentioned. As many around the country call for unity in their neighborhoods, this event was a tangible example of it.
"A lot of folks see demonstrations, the protests, those kinds of things across the country as ... a sign that we should do something, we should fix systems," Scott said. "But they need to look at events like this as well as signs that we are improving, we can do better, there are places who know how to do it. So we should be as much of a beacon with events like this as demonstrators and protestors are."
People from many different backgrounds were able to enjoy last Saturday's festivities. In the quest to build bridges between different parts of the community, "Cops, Pops and Community" showed everyone that Wheeling can make that step forward in creating that sense of unity.
Hopefully, "Cops, Pops and Community" will become a summer staple at Heritage Port. And, hopefully, it can spur more community groups to band together under the common cause of bringing everyone in the Ohio Valley a little closer to each other.