MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Reconciliation is in full swing this week with organizers hosting a Lemonade Day Press Conference at Dumont Plaza in Meridian at 10:30 Monday morning.
Stacey Miller is chairman of the Reconciliation committee, and she said today is about bringing the community together.
The committee gave out two $350 scholarships, one to Bralli Brown, and one to Jaden Hill, both of Meridian High School. Both recipients were selected for the scholarship based on essays which they read during the event.
“We want to commemorate the lives of six community members from Meridian who were killed at a Lockheed shooting back in 2003. Unfortunately, the killer killed him self. There was issues with race surrounding the shooting, and we know that is something that is divisive. So, the Miller family along with the reconciliation committee chose to respond with love. Finding ways to bring people together. To bridge those gaps that cause division and separation and hate,” said Miller. “My mother took the saying, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”
Sarah’s Daughters Mentoring Program was also recognized as Charity of the year at the event.
Committee members will deliver Lemonade to the Meridian Police Department, Meridian Fire Station 1, The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, and Metro Ambulance Services throughout the day.
Here’s the full list of Reconciliation Week Celebration events:
Sunday, July 7th: Local church leaders encouraged to lead congregations in pray for reconciliation.
Monday, July 8th: Lemonade Day – 10:30 am at Dumont Plaza – Presentation of Miller Scholarship winners and Charity Recipient; lemonade delivery to first responders to follow.
Wednesday, July 10th: Rev. Charlie Miller Memorial Luncheon – 11:45 am – Union Station – Speaker Jim Feirtag, Senior Pastor at NorthPark Church. Tickets are $20.
Friday, July 12th: Mayor’s Pray Breakfast – Prayers by local ministers and panel discussion on current events – 6:45 am – City Hall. Donations accepted at the door.
Saturday, July 13th: Reconciliation Run Motorcycle Parade – 11:00 am (Assemble) – Lockheed Martin Plant. Led by Queen City Cruisers from Lockheed through Downtown Meridian to Forest Lawn Cemetery.
