Midday storms didn’t deter an outdoor benefit recently for an Aurora nonprofit mentoring young area girls.
With a “Welcome to our Rodeo” theme, a 2 p.m. Summer Concert in the Park went on as scheduled by 100 Girls Like Us, Inc., at Greene Field Park in Aurora.
Weekly mentoring sessions for girls ages five to 17 are held at 1226 Grand Boulevard in Aurora.
The event opened in the park shelter with a luncheon of hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued ribs, rib tips, and snow cones.
An after-lunch entertainment program was emceed by Linda Williams, 100 Girls founder and president of the nonprofit. Youth and adults performed on a portable stage set up in grass around the park shelter.
The family-friendly event featured line dancing lessons, a ballet student, bingo, raffles, face-painting, and a DJ playing gospel, soul and R and B music. Admission was free. Donations were accepted.
Donors included several Aurora Police Department officers and Aurora African American Men of Unity. During introductions, new Aurora aldermen Keith Larson (at large) and Jonathan Nunez (Ward 4), greeted attendees. A pastor traveled from Tennessee to attend.
Williams said she founded 100 Girls in 2020 to build self-esteem, confidence and awareness in young girls, providing them with necessary tools to successfully navigate their journeys through adulthood.
The organization provides weekly mentoring sessions for girls at 1226 Grand Bouelvard in Aurora.
—Al Benson