Family, Friends Day July 29 in Molena

Willie McDowell and others in the Molena Alumni Group are working to revamp the city park so residents of all ages can enjoy time together outside.

A raffle is being held and sponsors are sought to help sponsor kids 5 to 12 years old for regular basketball games at the park starting this summer. Raffle tickets are $5 each and the prizes include a 32” Phillips Roku TV and a 24” Onn Roku TV. The drawing will be July 29 and participants do not have to be present to win.

They are hosting the Family and Friends Day fundraising event Saturday, July 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park. There will be vendors and entertainment for a family-friendly fun day at the park.

“We are inviting everyone to come enjoy the park and asking local families to bring all the kids. We will have all sorts of games for the little ones. And we will be raising money to revamp the city’s park and make it come back alive. We hope to give kids a place to play basketball and give older people a place to go where they can bring their lawn chairs and watch the kids play.”

The group is trying to raise money to refinish the tennis court and basketball courts with updated equipment and new paint. The basketball court currently doesn’t have any goals and both courts are in need of sealing and paint.

“Weather permitting, we hope to have activities at the park once a month and we will try to do everything for free and keep the park alive and getting people going,” said McDowell.