Safety, family time, helping Valley youngsters makes for fun at the mall

ROANOKE RAPIDS — Community safety, helping local youngsters have a successful holiday season and a yearly shindig were all part of the fun at  Becker Village Mall Saturday. Three major events came together — Octoberfest, the Christmas for the Kids Car and Motorcycle Show and the annual charity bazaar.

Roanoke Rapids Police Capt. Andy Jackson and Officer Charles Burnette coordinated the Octoberfest. “The weather got threatening so we asked Tammy if we could move it here and she was gracious enough to do that.” Stowinsky was pleased to help. “It’s great for the merchants and gives people a chance to come out and see all the great stuff that’s going on,” she said.

“We really appreciate everyone who came out and everyone who participated,” said Jackson. Octoberfest featured music by the North Tower Band, an oldies, beach and shag band, which kept the house rocking. The dance floor stayed busy, but the sideline dancers looked like they had just as much fun.

Around center court, there were information booths on domestic violence and drug abuse. Also, there was information to promote gang awareness and the fire department. “I’m super pleased with the outcome ... People come together and share information and have a good time,” Jackson said.

One demonstration allowed participants to put on special goggles to simulate what it feels like to be intoxicated. Participants could choose the legal limit or double it, then attempt to walk a line.

There was lots of laughter when people realized how goofy they felt and how off their perceptions were. Burnette hoped participants would understand what happens when you’ve had too much to drink and “maybe they won’t drink and drive.”

“It’s amazing how everything is so distorted,” said Lisa Guy, as she removed the goggles. She giggled at herself when Burnette showed her how far off the line she’d strayed as she tried to walk. “Everybody drinks, but it’s good to understand what it’s like when you’ve had too much. It was an amazing experience,” she reiterated.

In the mall parking lot, the Christmas for the Kids Car and Motorcycle Show had music of its own, a raffle, tire changing and engine tuning contests and vehicles on display. Of course, the kids couldn’t wait to climb into the “super larger than life” fire truck maneuvering around the parking lot. Proceeds from this event will go to the Roanoke Rapids Police Club. The Christmas for the Kids campaign gives needy kids in the Roanoke Valley a chance to go holiday shopping with one of the club members or their spouses. “We really want to thank the organizers of the car show,” said Jackson. “Keith Williams and Shawn Garner did a great job and it’s going to help a lot of kids that wouldn’t have gotten help without their work.” You can contact Jackson at 533-2810 if you’d like to contribute to the Christmas for Kids cause.

“We all want to thank the mall staff, particularly Tammy, the Whites and the Heatons, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Hannah’s Place, “Mafia,” Citizens On Patrol, Crimestoppers, the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department and special thanks to Character Antics,” Jackson said. Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Jeff Hinton expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the event. He said he was very pleased with the response from the community and he appreciated all the hard work Jackson and Burnette put in to getting everything together.

In addition to the day’s festivities, there was the annual charity bazaar, an event to increase public awareness of what’s going on in the community. “We have local organizations, charities and associations come together for the charity bazaar each year,” said Mall Manager Tammy Stowinsky. “We don’t charge anything for the space. It’s our way of giving back to the community.”

As part of the charity bazaar, the Davie Lions Club was raising money for the White Cane program which benefits the blind. President Larry DeBruhl said the white cane itself was a great blessing to the visually impaired, but there were also scholarship funds for the children of the blind, camps they could attend and other trips they could take. He said it was a great program and he should know, he’s been visually impaired since he was seven. He said the Lions Club was a blessing to him and many other people. The Lions were raffling a quilt and selling baked goods.

Also part of the bazaar were representatives from The John 3:16 Center in Littleton. They said they really weren’t trying to raise money as much as awareness about the plight of needy children.