By Morgan Bryce
Editor
Proceeds from the inaugural “Love Lee Day” May 18 at the Opelika Sportsplex will benefit East Alabama Medical Center’s MEND program and up to 12 Beauregard children affected by the March 3 tornadoes that passed through Lee County.
According to Amy Walters, one of the event’s organizers, the event is a way for the community to gather for a fun-filled, family-friendly event and strengthen its bonds.
“Our goal through all of this is to bring the community together. We want people in Beauregard and Smiths Station to know that we stand behind them as a county and that we will be with them as they go through the process of recovery and restoration of what was lost,” Walters said. “Another important aspect is that we want people, especially tornado victims, to have a fun day and step away from the chaos and be able to enjoy themselves.”
The event will be “hosted” by Walter’s organization “Beauregard Birthdays,” which is working to provide gifts or necessary items to children who were affected or displaced by the storms.
Included in that day’s festivities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are entertainment, food and music.
Classic rock cover group 8-Track Rewind will perform, and there will be appearances from Auburn University mascot Aubie and Disney princesses. There will be a dunk tank, inflatables and a Nerf Gun battle area.
Food trucks from Crepe Myrtle Cafe, Kona Ice and Philly Connection will be on site to provide food and refreshments.
A silent auction featuring more than 30 special items donated by local businesses will also take place during the event, a solution “to help them find a way to be involved and give back to tornado relief efforts,” according to Walters.
Event admission is free, but donations for both Beauregard Birthdays and MEND (the hospital’s newly formed disaster coordination group) will be accepted throughout the event.
For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page. The Sportsplex is located at 1001 Andrews Road.