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Families are invited to come out for an afternoon of fun and to support a cause on July 14 at the Dobbins Heights Community Park.

The Community Safe Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. at the park, located at 224 Earle Franklin St. in Dobbins Heights.

“It’s a great event,” Dobbins Heights Mayor Antonio Blue said. “It brings the community together and there is lots of good information and it’s kid friendly. This event is for the whole county, not just Dobbins Heights.”

The event, sponsored by Alcohol & Drug Services and Citizens of Richmond for Responsible Living, is free for everyone. There will be free food, inflatable bounce houses, a clown, door prizes, face-painting, a basketball tournament with trophies and free swimming.

Shirlyn Smith of Alcohol & Drug Services said the organization has received a lot of community support to continue to have events that promote alcohol and drug awareness. Smith said there will be information available about the effects of alcohol and drugs on the body. She said she hopes the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will be present with a golf cart and vision-impairment goggles so people can experience the danger of getting behind the wheel intoxicated.

“This event is for families,” Smith said. “It’s to show them how to have fun without a substance in their system.”

Smith said the goal of the event is to reduce alcohol-related accidents and motor vehicle deaths.

“I just hope we can continue this as an annual event,” said Smith. “It’s family fun for a cause. It’s been wonderful working with the town of Dobbins Heights.”

There will be entertainment provided by Da-Voice Box, A-Dubb and other local artists.

— Staff writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.