PRESS RELEASES / ARTICLES

FROM "THE JOURNAL"

 
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/509494.html

Churches sponsor day of family fun

Uni-Fest was designed to bring unity to the community and offer a day full of fun, free activities, according to the Rev. Ron Larson, pastor at 365 Church.

"We wanted just to have a completely free event - especially in this tough economic climate - and to have fun and bring the community together," Larson said Sunday evening, while he and members of his church handed out about 500 free backpacks filled with supplies to a long line of schoolchildren.

He said the backpacks were donated by his church as well as other people in the area who wanted to help out, and there was also a large amount of food donated for the event.

In addition to 365 Church, two other churches also helped out Sunday with food, games and other activities, including Cornerstone Bible Church and Abundant Harvest Christian Center.

Larson said last year's event attracted about 1,100, and so organizers expected many more people this time. He estimated that between 2,500 and 3,000 people would stop by Sunday evening before the three-hour gathering finished up.

Besides free hotdogs, popcorn and drinks that were served on Sunday, there was also plenty of donated food available for people to take home, such as bread and non-perishable items. One church volunteer said there were about 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of donated food.

Music for the Uni-Fest gathering was provided by Dave Wooten, a nationally known Christian recording artist, as well as local Christian artists in the Red Letter Revival Band and Cross Connections.

Hundreds of children also enjoyed the inflatable slides and moonbounces, carnival games, a three-on-three basketball tournament, face painting, animal balloons and other free activities.

Members of the Bedington Fire Department offered folks the chance to get a bird's eye view of the area in their fire truck ladder, and free blood pressure screenings were also available.

Tonya Comer, a member of 365 Church, said the gathering was an enjoyable event for everyone, and it was a great way for the church to reach out to area residents.

"It's awesome - we have a great turnout, and this is fun," she said.

- Staff report

PRESS RELEASE

Uni-Fest:  Unity in the Community

Area churches join to give the region a free outdoor event

General news release

Martinsburg, WV

August 2008

PRESS RELEASE - UNI-FEST 2008

Martinsburg, WV

August 2008

Nashville recording artist Dave Wooten will be in concert during Uni-Fest on August 17th, at South Middle School, from 4-7 pm.

Dave has been involved in music and ministry for over 25 years, as both a recording artist, speaker and pastor. In those 25+ years he has had the privilege of singing and speaking all over the world. He has sung on the Grand Ole Opry televised show, at the Kennedy Center, at the Jamboree in the Hills, at the Christian Country Music Association Awards, and in countless other venues and churches. He has toured with both national acts and as a solo act. His discography includes four albums, including his new release, “Before the Throne”. 

This is a very special event that is free to the community!

For more information, visit http://uni-fest.net or call 304-886-8469.

Uni-Fest 2007: Gathering the Community Together in Unity
By Suzanne Myers

On Sunday, August 26th, even though a threatening, cloudy sky, accompanied by sultry humidity, laid heavy over Martinsburg, over 800 people attended the first annual Uni-Fest: Unity in the Community event held on the grounds of South Middle School.

Uni-Fest is a joint cooperation of area churches which offered free school backpacks, school supplies, food, music, and inflatable games to area residents. Discovering that hundreds of families struggle to purchase even the most basic items like school clothes and supplies, Uni-Fest was birthed in the hearts and minds of several community religious leaders.
And evidently word got around. An hour before the event, dozens of Eastern Panhandle children, teens, and adults were already lined up on the grounds of South Middle. At 4 p.m., the event kicked off and suddenly the entire field was bursting with activity as excited children jumped on giant inflatables, while future potential basketball superstars head to the gym for a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

But, Uni-Fest was not just a day of games and fun. 300 school book bags filled with pencils, rulers and other needed supplies were handed out. Additionally, over 1,500 pounds of non-perishable food were given away to needy families. Also on hand was the Good Samaritan Mobile Clinic , providing free medical and sports examinations to children and adults. The Shenandoah Women’s Shelter, R.A.V.E.N’s Prayer Team, and Furry Ministries, featuring therapy-dog Brodie, were also on hand to help people with personal needs.

Near the South Middle School trailers, a huge food tent kept busy during the entire event. According to Uni-Fest Food Tent volunteer, Chris McBee, Uni-Fest attendees were treated to over 600 free hot dogs; 450 free snow cones; 250 free bags of popcorn; and 500 free bottles of water!

In the South Middle School gymnasium, nearly 200 players and observers participated in the enormously successful 3-on-3 Basketball Tourney. Led by 365 Sports & Recreation Pastor, Ken Frauenfelder, 1st Place and Runner-Up trophies were given to players in 8 to 10; 11 to 13; 14 to 15; 16 to 34; and 35 & up age divisions. Up to four tournaments were held simultaneously with fans, parents, and friends cheering on from the sideline and bleacher areas.

Throughout the afternoon, Uni-Fest attendees feasted on entertainment coordinated by Solomon Wright, worship leader at Lily of the Valley, and Doug Pixler, worship leader at 365 Church. Performers included the 365 Church Worship Band, country vocalist Lindsey Taylor, vocal ensemble Righteousness of God, vocalist Shamera Dupree, and the Sisters 'N Unity Dance Team.

Kristi Jones, who attended the event with her 9-month old daughter Taylor, was surprised by the enormity of the event. “I didn’t want to come out with the weather so hot, but I’m glad I did. Even though Taylor is not old enough to appreciate what’s going on, this event is important. As a Martinsburg resident, I am so appreciative of these guys for putting on such a great event. I just hope they’re still doing this when Taylor gets older.”

On the grounds, Security Leader, David Hoffman, reported, "there was not a single instance of bad behavior. That is amazing when you put hundreds of people in a hot, large place! Everyone was courteous and kind toward one another."

Ron Larson, Chairman of the Board of 365 Ministries, was quick to add that while 365 initiated the idea, many members from local area churches, including Abundant Life Christian Fellowship and Lily of the Valley Evangel, also threw themselves into planning and implementing this community gathering. Numerous individual and commercial sponsors, including local and regional businesses like Kettler- Forlines Homes, Automated Merchandising Systems, Home Town Realty, Martins Food Stores, Sherwin Williams, Wal-Mart and many others provided donations and services, which were crucial for Uni-Fest’s success.

Wanda Shifflett, co-chair of the event, was particularly excited as she doled out shaved ice treats. “We were praying for good weather, a good turnout, plenty of giveaways, and lots of fun. Every single prayer was answered, and then some!”

The main ingredient in all of this was “Free!” The event cost over 7,000 dollars, but everything was absolutely free to each person who attended. According to Larson, Uni-Fest Coordinator, “too many people think the church is only after their money. Instead of putting millions of dollars into church buildings, we hope to place millions back into the people living in our community, to make it a better place to live, work and play.”

Larson did indicate that plans are underway for Uni-Fest 2008, which promises to be even better than this year’s event. “This is a gift from God to the community that we will keep doing as long it’s needed.”

Larson also added, “Uni-Fest is not the only event being offered to better our community. Divorce Care, Life Support, Freedom From Bondage (addiction recovery), Living Financially Free, after school teen events, Ignite Leadership for men, and Free Bread delivery on Saturdays are all a part of what we doing to lift our community to a fresh new level of living.” This fall, “church” will be taken into high density inner-city housing projects, area apartment complexes and townhouse developments. According to Matt Francis, 365 Teen Pastor, “Every church wants people to come to their turf, why not take church to where people already are!” And they will be doing so each Saturday morning with brightly colored trucks, which have built-in stages, where worship, drama, and teaching can be offered on site.

Also coming up on Halloween is the third annual ‘Trunk or Treat’ which provides a fun, safe place for area children to come dressed as their favorite super hero, princess, or reptile! Last year, well over 1,000 children lined up in front of nearly 50 cars parked adjacent to the Martinsburg K-Mart to collect sweet treats.

More information about 365 Ministries can be found at http://365church.org. Details about the 2007 Uni-Fest event can be found at http://uni-fest.net. You can also get more information about cooperating Uni-Fest major church sponsors: Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, (540) 409-7233, and Lily of the Valley, (304) 667-7774.