‘Echoes of Hope’ theme for
Sunday’s Hands Across Santa Paula
September 16, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
“Echoes of Hope” is the theme of the September 20 5th Annual Hands Across Santa Paula (HASP) Remembering the Spirit of Kindness at Veterans Memorial Park, a community wide event that offers student created art, guests speakers and promoting hope for the future.
Founded by B. Samantha Frady, HASP will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the park, located across from City Hall in the 900 block of East Ventura Street.
Dave Ackerman and Paul Belgum will provide musical entertainment; Mayor John Procter, Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez and City Councilwoman Jenny Crosswhite will speak as will Cardinals Football Coach Mike Montoya.
There will be other special guests such as public safety personnel including Sparky the Santa Paula Fire Department mascot and McGruff the Santa Paula Police Department’s Crime Fighting Dog.
Bob Allen of www.KADYTV.com will be filming the free event.
Frady said it’s going to be a “Fun filed afternoon to honor many of our Santa Paula citizens…”
This year’s theme “Echoes of Hope” stems from Frady’s thoughts on how “Every generation had an idea,” they hoped to make things better for all and how the youngest see the future and what they hope for.
“It’s good to see what the youngest generation does with that,” concept expressed through art, which will be displayed at the HASP event.
So far Olivelands, Briggs and Mupu schools are participating with student artwork and instead of individual awards Frady said this year the schools would be honored.
This year’s theme resulted from a conversation that Frady had “with a little one…all her hopes were big hopes and I thought every generation has had its hopes. Without hope there is no action…”
Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 will provide the Color Guard; Many Meals will have its truck on display and Ventura County Community College Santa Paula Campus as well as a SPPD Cadet/Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Martha Brown will have tables.
The event will have everything from Hector Sanchez singing The National Anthem to a free raffle for the children.
Frady is hoping to see students and their families: “It would be really nice for parents to see the art their children worked so hard on…”
The most important thing about the event is the celebration of community.
“We’re blessed with so many wonderful people in Santa Paula,” said Frady, “so many kind people filled with hope for good things…”
For more info call Frady at 525-7646
