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Everlasting Hope Mininistries holds anti-drug rally

Marchers depart from the Richard Allen School in the Everlasting Hope Ministries 30th annual community anti-drug rally and march held Aug. 19 in Georgetown. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
August 26, 2023

Everlasting Hope Ministries sponsored its 30th annual community anti-drug rally and march Aug. 19, starting at the Richard Allen School in Georgetown.

The rally and march send a positive message to the community and area youth to let everyone know it’s OK to say no to drugs. The march proceeded through the streets of Georgetown with participants carrying signs and singing phrases to spread the anti-drug message.

Back at the school after the march, Everlasting Hope Ministries hosted fun day activities like bounce houses, train rides, games and door prizes, along with many other enjoyable happenings.

The Beebe Healthcare Community Mobile Health Unit provided general health resources like blood sugar, A1C and cholesterol testing, and behavioral health screening and information, among other services.

Exhibit tables were set up to give the community information about health, drugs, worship, homeless shelters and much more.

John Rittenhouse, center, and Jarad Rittenhouse, left, of Shift Destiny share a prayer with David Harris.
The Rev. Tony Neal, pastor of Everlasting Hope Ministries, and his wife Vanessa pause for a picture during the event.
Curtis Elliott carries a sign with the verse from Philippians 4:13.
Ira Roach leads the chant, “Say yes to Jesus and no to drugs.”
Kyen Petion colors a healthy food poster for Katina Gooch of Project Heal, which promotes healthy eating.
Georgetown Mayor Bill West addresses the crowd in the food tent.
Haeden Cannon, 8, shows her prizes won by answering questions about healthy eating.
NAACP Lower Sussex President Lucinda Spence gives out info on how to join the NAACP and what the organization does locally.
Members of the Everlasting Hope Ministries giving out T-shirts for the event are (l-r) Vanessa Neal, Andre Palmer, Margaret Neal, Lachesia Crippen and Natasha Abney.
The outreach team from the Dominion Church of Delaware handed out free backpacks filled with school supplies. Shown are (l-r) Schrita Smith, Tysha Cannon, Star Freshwater, Agnes Cannon, Monica Smith, Damea Jerfferson, Michelle Mosley, Amaruri Gidden, Tamara Mullen and Camille Scott.
The crowd walks through Georgetown from the Richard Allen School.
Deejay Gary Flowers keeps the music flowing for the event.
Anne Carr, community outreach coordinator for the Office of Health Crisis Response at Delaware Division of Public Health educates attendees on the importance of Narcan.
Aiyonna Hackett, 6, pushes her friend Melanie Smith, 2, on the playground swings at Richard Allen School.
The anti-drug march began at the Richard Allen School.
Some rode if they could not march in the event.
Hundreds of dinners were given out after the march.
Vance Collins works the burger grill for the event.
Marchers chant, “Say yes to Jesus and no to drugs.”
Attendees applaud the Rev. Tony Neal’s speech before the meal is served.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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