Together We Can hosting Community Kickball Game with LPD
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a community initiative is returning to the field of play. Together We Can, a joint venture between Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart and E’Yanesha Reid, along with the Lexington Police Department, will host a Community Kickball Game on Wednesday, October 12 at Finch Park located at 15 Paul Beck Rd. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.
Started in 2016, Together We Can is the result of conversations between Lockhart and Reid about policing concerns they saw across the country. Praying no issues would manifest in their own neighborhoods, they brainstormed a proactive approach to their trepidation.
“We hear a lot about how police departments don’t build relationships with citizens especially when police brutality and/or the killing of an unarmed Black man or woman is headlining the news cycle,” said Lockhart. “We never want to see what’s happened in Ferguson, Minneapolis and recently, in Akron, Ohio, happen here.”
The Lexington Senior High School classmates observed that often when people encounter police officers it’s in high-pressure situations – an emergency or a citizen has been pulled over in his or her car. To humanize the experience for everyone involved, Lockhart and Reid approached former LPD Chief Mark Sink about having events where citizens and officers could fellowship outside of formal settings.
Since then, Together We Can has hosted multiple community basketball and softball games and game nights at a local church. “Our teams consist of citizens and officers. It’s not us against them or them against us,” Lockhart specified. This year’s kickball game will be a first.
“We decided to go with kickball because it’s a game anyone can enjoy and partake in at any age,” Lockhart explained. “All you need to do is show up, have your kicking leg ready, your running shoes on and your catching arms/hands warmed up.”
Previously, Together We Can has asked for a donation of $5 to participate in the events. Half of the proceeds were donated to the police department to support its youth programs. No donation will be requested this year. However, participants can make a monetary donation or bring nonperishable food items to donate to Pastor’s Pantry. Water and snacks will be provided.
“We’re looking forward to it because we like bridging that gap between community and police,” noted LPD Lieutenant BJ Daniels. “We hope to see a lot of new faces on the field.”
If you would like to participate in the game, please email Kassaundra at kslockhart@gmail.com. Pre-registration isn’t necessary but the group would like to have an idea of how many participants there will be. Ages 10 and up are welcomed.
About Together We Can:
Together We Can consists of citizens from the Lexington community who have a vested interest in strengthening the relationship between the police department and the community. It was formed to develop, implement and execute ideas and events that will foster communication, fellowship and trust. All events are planned in conjunction with representatives from the Lexington Police Department.
