by Emmanuel Young
South Jersey, Information Equity Project
The South Jersey Ecclesiastic Church of God In Christ held its annual event to support the members of its Youth Department by having a Sneaker Ball Gala at Paris Catering on February 11.
The event’s purpose was to support the young people within the youth department and donate funds for the youth. The Youth Department is tasked with educating the young people within the ‘Jurisdiction’ about God and ensuring they have the tools and resources to succeed in today’s world while mentoring them.
“We want to help the youth see that the church is more than just a building and that they can enjoy themselves outside of it,” said Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent George Thorton and pastor of Holloway Memorial Church of God in Christ.
People from 30 churches in South Jersey came together to enjoy and donate to the Youth Department’s Scholarship Fund to encourage more young adults to go to college and make it possible. The event brought in over 200 people from all ages.
“It’s essential because it’s a way to merge the youth and older crowd,” Evangelist Jacquline Martin said. “We’ve been doing this for eight years, and every year, we change the theme from Oscar awards to Mardi Gras, and I don’t know what to do next year.”
The event organizers also contacted two professional healthcare representatives to speak on the importance of health and well-being.
Dr. Darlema Bey, the National Alliance of Mental Illness Secretary and an experienced cardiovascular technician, spoke on the health and wellness of the black community. She uses her knowledge to educate community members on mental health, healthy eating, and heart health. Darlema Bey shared with the audience (on the topic of health and wellness), “When I go out in the community and make sure the people have the information they need to enjoy their lives and families because if we don’t have health, we don’t have anything.” She suggested that people schedule EKGs and ultrasounds annually to monitor their health in case of irregular heart rhythms or heart failure. She also encouraged more of the youth to consider working in health as it is a vital profession.
Dr. Sheri Gillis Funderburk is a doctor certified in studying obesity and public health and a diplomat of the American Born Obesity Medicine. She is currently the Lead Physician of Capital Health Endocrinology.
She addressed the risk factors that African Americans face as they are more likely to have higher blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and strokes.
Dr. Sheri Gillis Funderburk, “A lot of the time, we don’t go to the doctor when we’re well but only when we’re sick,” she said. We must stay current on cancer risks, blood pressure, and glucose levels.”
She recommended that women consider getting screened for breast cancer by the age of 40 or when someone in their family is diagnosed. And the same for men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The event concluded with the announcement of The Best-Dressed Boys and Girls, the Best Shoes, and a statement from Bishop Tyrone McCombs on the event’s success.
“I’d like to thank God for the fellowship, Supt. Thornton, Evang. Martin and all those who helped make this possible and to all of our vendors who came out today,” he said in his closing remarks.”
The Jurisdiction exceeded the expected amount and will be distributing it into the Youth Department’s budget to ensure the young people will have everything they need in the future.
This story was produced as part of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University’s South Jersey Information Equity Project fellowship and supported with funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation.
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