"We Care" set to foster unity and mobilize Memphis for positive action
Three-Day Public Rally Includes Prayer, Food and Blood Drives, and Support of Educational, Arts, and Social Service Groups
For more information or to volunteer, contact:
Pat Carter (901) 323-9335
In a citywide effort to move Memphis forward for a better life, a weekend of prayer and community contribution called “We Care for Memphis and Shelby County” has been organized for January 8 – 11 by longtime Memphis leader and business man Pat Carter. “The city’s been kind to me and I want to be kind to the city,” said Carter, who has a distinguished track record of over 25 years of community service to the Mid-South.
The weekend includes public prayer events at Whitehaven’s Middle Baptist Church and Temple Israel, food and blood drives, and an opportunity to donate to some of the city’s esteemed social service, arts, and educational groups.
“We’re asking all Memphians to come together and pray, because prayer starts the action,” explains Carter. “We’re going to pray, then get busy.”
Carter invites the city to join him on January 8 from 10 a.m.to noon at Middle Baptist Church (801 Whitehaven Lane) to pray for a crime-free weekend. On January 9 at 10 a.m.,
Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein will open the doors of Temple Israel at 1376 East Massey Road for the public to gather and pray for Memphis city leaders.
Finally, on January 10 “We Care for Memphis and Shelby County” will invite people of all faiths in all congregations across the city to pray for our children.
Also from January 8 to 11 on behalf of “We Care for Memphis and Shelby County,” LifeBlood will accept donations at selected neighborhood centers to be announced, and donations of non-perishable foods will be collected at locations to be announced.
Carter has selected four non-profit organizations to receive public donations at selected banks as part of the “We Care” effort. The groups and their respective bank donation sites are as follows:
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MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) – donations accepted at SunTrust Bank
“MIFA plays an extremely important social service role in our community, especially with increased need in today’s tough economic climate,” Carter explained.
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Playhouse on the Square – donations accepted at Independent Bank
Contributions will go to support the company’s youth theatre and programming for children.
- Stax Music Academy – donations accepted at First Tennessee Bank
“Stax is the original Memphis sound that made our city famous,” stated Carter. “The academy offers great education and performance opportunities for our youth.”
- Woodstock Middle School – donations accepted at Regions Bank
Carter is a graduate of Woodstock School. Funds will be used to air condition the school’s gym in order to accommodate summer activities for over 600 youth. Funds will also be used to send a girl and a boy to summer prep school.
Carter’s philanthropic efforts include fund-raising for UNCF, Graceland Elementary School and Mehary Medical College in Nashville, among others. In 1983, Carter began feeding homeless individuals each Labor Day in a downtown park using his personal grill and a handful of hot dogs and hamburgers. Today, with the assistance of nearly 40 volunteers and contributions from the community, the annual September event feeds over 400 homeless Memphians.
For additional information on the “We Care for Memphis and Shelby County” weekend, call (901) 323-9335.