A belated thank you to Mr. Albert Winfield for his love of his community and its people on Sept. 27. Mr. Winfield, through hard work and dedication, held a prayer vigil on Gaines Street. A huge banner hung on the corner of Gaines Street and Pennsylvania Avenue announcing the event.

Many churches and ministers from surrounding areas and our local churches and ministers attended this effort. Mr. Winfield’s theme was asking God for his continued blessings and healings for the schools, our children, the elderly, our churches, the pastors, our neighborhoods, and for control over the drugs and crimes that have come into our communities.

Following the prayer vigil, a conference was held at the auditorium to talk and discuss relevant issues concerning the community. Testimonies were also given from men and women whose lives have been changed for the better.

This was a beautiful thing done, and I have not seen or heard anything about it in this paper. I’m quite sure if someone had been harmed, a big drug bust or some other deviant behavior had happened it would have made front page. I think that’s a real shame and it says a lot. To you Albert, thank you for being bold enough to care about your community.

Janet McSwain

Southern Pines