The community-based human rights organization, One Human Family QCA, is collaborating with the Davenport restaurant The Diner, Freight House Farmers Market 421 River Drive, for an evening of song and food.
Rev. Rich Hendricks, co-founder of One Human Family QCA and pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities in West Davenport, says that with the election under one month, they want to bolster community connections.
"It's going to be a social justice peace train sing-along, and we've never done anything like this before, but it's just going to be a really, really fun event," Rev. Hendricks said in an interview with WVIK News. "Chris Dunn (QCA folksinger) is going to be playing guitar for us and strumming some protest songs for us to sing along to. You don't have to sing to come. It's okay, but the spirit will be infectious."
During the sing-along, residents can receive assistance with voter registration and information on area candidates in Scott and Rock Island counties. One Human Family QCA is also giving out yard signs, but they're not the typical political type.
"One says 'It doesn't matter who you are or where you are from. We're glad you're our neighbor', and it says that in Spanish, English and Arabic. And the other one just says, 'Love Unites, One Human Family, QCA'. And I think we need a lot more of those signs," Rev. Hendricks said. "To me, they're every bit as important and perhaps more important than the political yard signs right now."
The Diner plans to serve free chicken and waffles in a breakfast buffet with other sides from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16th.
Although the event is free, Rev. Hendricks says they are accepting donations to help with mental health services as The Eastern Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services region is facing nearly a $4 million budget shortfall. This is after $3 million in budget cuts and $800,000 in unexpected costs.
According to Rev. Hendricks, the funds collected during the event will be sent to the Vera French Mental Health Center.
"This political season has been, you know, lots of ups and downs for people. And there's a lot of fear and anxiety out there," Rev. Hendricks said. "And we can't let that rule us. We can't let ourselves be stuck in that mode. So this is an opportunity to get out, to celebrate, to encourage others to vote and be optimistic about what we can do with our country when we learn to love one another and treat each other with respect and dignity."
Those who would like to attend can email Rev. Hendricks at richdhendricks@msn.com
Correction: WVIK News updated: "Although the event is free, Rev. Hendricks says they are accepting donations to help with mental health services as The Eastern Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services region is facing nearly a $4 million budget shortfall. This is after $3 million in budget cuts and $800,000 in unexpected costs. " - to include additional context.
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