In a display of community spirit and collaboration, Pastor Aaron Gross of Seacoast Manning and residents Teon and Brianna Wilson have joined forces to support neighborhood children through events, such as the recent Unity in the Community block party. The event, which took place on July 13th at the Wilson and Dingle lot on Dixon Street, featured a backpack giveaway, free food, and a bounce house, drawing around 200 attendees.
Gross shared the vision behind the event, emphasizing the importance of building relationships within the neighborhood. “Our event, which we named ‘Unity in the Community,’ is about getting to know our neighbors and finding ways to be a blessing,” Gross said. “The goal has always been to build unity and allow that to benefit others.”
This event marked the second year of the collaboration between Gross and the Wilsons. Teon Wilson, who grew up in the neighborhood, has been instrumental in bridging the relationship gap. “[The Wilsons] have been key partners in this initiative,” Gross noted. “Their involvement and the relationships they have within the community have made a significant difference.”
Wilson, reflecting on the event, praised the positive impact it has had. “It’s a great collaboration,” Wilson said. “The neighborhood is doing well, and the back-to-school drive for the children was a success. It’s all positive stuff.”
The partnership began about two years ago when Gross introduced himself to the neighborhood and met Wilson. Since then, their friendship has grown, and so has their impact. “We have been doing holiday events and other community activities for some years now,” Wilson said. “Seacoast’s involvement has brought additional support and resources, but we have always been committed to serving our community.”
Gross echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the goal is not about growing church membership but about fostering good in the community. “Everything we do is not about making the church bigger; it’s about seeing good happen in the community,” Gross said. “Our events are designed to build relationships and meet needs without any agenda.”
The success of the block party and other events highlights the strength of the collaboration between Seacoast Manning and the Wilsons. As Gross pointed out, their joint efforts have helped build trust within the community. “Because we’ve been out in the neighborhood for a couple of years, it’s a lot easier for that to be trusted,” he said. “We’ve proven that it’s not about what we get out of it.”
Looking ahead, Gross and Wilson plan to continue their community engagement efforts. They are discussing future events, including a possible fall event in Summerton to address ongoing needs throughout the school year. “There’s a pastor in Summerton who wants to partner with us,” Gross said. “We’re considering doing something different, like a back-to-school event in the fall when kids still have unmet needs.”
The Unity in the Community event is an example of what can be achieved when local leaders and residents work together towards a common goal. With the continued partnership of Seacoast and the Wilsons, the city of Manning can look forward to more initiatives that bring neighbors together and support those in need.
