Jason Barrett and Bob Kerr, volunteers with Community Seeds, a faith-based non-profit organization headquartered in Lone Oak, Texas, are organizing the second annual Veterans Parade. It will be held on Saturday morning November 10, 2018 from Buford Park in Sulphur Springs, Texas. About 60 different entities have agreed to take part in the parade, from business and industry, service clubs, sports associations, veterans organizations, non-profits and individuals. Lowe’s is providing the candy that will be distributed to by standers during the parade, which will step off at 9 am on Connally Street, crossing the Celebration/Veterans Memorial Plaza area, north on Church Street to Houston Street, and then west, back to the Park.
Jason Barrett, a spokesman for Community Seeds and Bob Kerr, a representative from the Marine Corps League of Hopkins County, are quite excited about the enthusiasm they have encountered. Barrett stated that interest seems to have tripled since 2017, when about 20 organizations participated. Kerr, a USMC Veteran and member of the Hopkins County Detachment #1357, has organized a uniformed group for the parade as well as a luncheon celebration for the Marine Veterans and spouses to observe the USMC 243rd birthday, also November 10. Walt Dingman, the oldest living Veteran in Hopkins County at age 99, will serve as Parade Grand Marshall. Expect to see monster trucks, motorcycle clubs and antique cars on parade day.
Chick-fil a, a national restaurant chain based in Greenville, Texas has agreed to help raise money for Community Seeds with the donation of 500 Chick-fil a breakfast sandwiches. Volunteers will offer the sandwiches for $3 each in the park starting at 7:30 am Saturday. Not only will all funds raised go to Community Seeds, but Chick-fil a will match the total amount for projects and needs of the organization.
During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, Barrett shared that Community Seeds was organized in Lone Oak, Texas in 2009 through Executive Directors Bert and Mary Cooper, to assist the poor and under-served of Hunt County with rent, utilities, transitional housing, food and clothing. Since 2016, Hopkins and Rains Counties have been added to the non-profit’s service area. Three homes for transitional housing have already been built in Lone Oak, and a plot of land in Hopkins County is now designated for that purpose. He said the number one goal of Community Seeds is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to assist the poor and underprivileged as Christ did when on earth.
