“Everybody do rumble,” 40 synchronized, jumping high school cheerleaders called, as families arrived. “Shake those shoulders, don’t shrug,” urged D.J. Elle, as she swayed her derriére on stage teaching fans the merengue.
It was a day of rumbling, shaking and coming together – no shrugging -- at United Community’s (UC) Aug. 22 ALX South Block Party at Bryant High School when 700 people from babies to seniors visited 45 vendors and got advice from skin care to savings accounts.
“Nothing is more important than the community and the community feeling safe,” offered Major Jeffrey Mauro, Mount Vernon District Police Commander, as he and several officers mingled among the crowd. “Meeting with the community is directly proportional to the police being successful in keeping people safe. We can’t do it without the community.”
Mauro was admiring another safety “officer,” Zeke, who helps keep local schools safe. Zeke is a “gun-narcotics dog,” a German short-haired pointer from the Netherlands, his manager, Pete Masood, explained. With a super sense of smell, Zeke can root out narcotics by smelling six odors. He can search cars, buildings and grounds and “hit on” guns, for example, by smelling a gun’s brass and oil odors. “He can find a knife in the bushes,” Masood said.
Shauna Cooper welcomed everyone at the UC table, explaining that the non-profit helps families become self-sufficient by linking them with housing and childcare, for example. UC has citizenship and English classes, legal and immigration support, a food pantry and a six-room early learning center at Bryant for children ages six weeks to five.
Health care was front and center. Mariama Kalokoh from the Fairfax County Health Department encouraged people to get flu shots and handed out free home covid tests. Blaire Wesley, a Sentara oncology nurse navigator, helps people get care and comfort and discussed the risks of using marijuana, e-cigarettes and vape pens.
Caitlin Liberatore with U.S. Dermatology Partners on Sherwood Hall Lane offered free sunscreen.
The “sand tray” at River Grove Therapy’s table was an attention-getter. Lucas Watling said that clients create scenes in the sand to express their emotions. “There’s no right or wrong way,” he said.
“We go where the child is,” said Shannen Garland with ABA Centers, as youngsters snatched lollipops off her table. Her organization offers autism care to youngsters aged 18 months to 17 years.
John Harris and Melissa McIntosh with the Mount Vernon Lions Club explained that they host vision and hearing screenings, recycle eyeglasses and hearing aids and offer scholarships to visually-impaired students.
Some youngsters climbed up into an ambulance where Will Howe, a county volunteer, explained that the crew uses a mounted Zoll monitor to check a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen and alert hospital emergency room personnel about a patient’s condition.
Burke and Herbert Bank and Spectra Credit Union employees touted their financial services. AT&T representatives offered a $200 discount for customers “to switch” to AT&T cellphone and internet services.
The school’s basement level was abuzz with food vendors, like Dishes of India doling out palak paneer and murg makhani. Haymibbq and International Grocery owners from North Kings Highway teased appetites with beef and tibs, seasoned with special homemade seasonings. Cooper Road’s Chalkboard Wings had steady patrons for barbeque and wings. Few could skip Paris X and Puff’s stuffed cookies and brownie S’mores.
As she savored Dishes of India’s offerings, Deborah Ahenkan said she was impressed with all the vendors and food. Her cousin, Pam McKinley, came from Rose Hill to “learn what’s going on in my community.”
United Community billed the event as a “celebration of community, culture and connection.”
“It’s all about community,” noted Leah Fraley, UC’s head. “United Community has always been about community. It’s an action word, bringing people together.”
Echoing that view, Mount Vernon School Board member Matteo Dunne said, “It a wonderful community event, coming together to celebrate inclusivity and build a sense of community.”