By Zak Zeinert, Chief Photographer
“Tonight we’re here to celebrate community,” Mayor Norm Archibald told the crowd that gathered Saturday at the Paramount Theatre. “We’re here to celebrate the things that make
us unique.”
Archibald was addressing the audience that packed the stands for the first-ever talent show sponsored by Connecting Caring Communities, an Abilene nonprofit organization. The show featured singers, dancers, drama performances and even a Scottish bagpipe medley from the Abilene Pipers.
Local schools also contributed their various talents, such as the Spurs dance team from Hardin-Simmons University and Revolution, a music group from the Abilene Independent School District. SHADES, ACU’s own step squad, also was scheduled to perform but did not because of a communication error.
“There was just a miscommunication,” said SHADES’ member Tori Valadez, sophomore
education major from El Paso. “They told us to be there at 9 p.m., and that was when the show ended.”
Archibald served as the master of ceremonies, although he frequently was
interrupted between acts by The Culps, a comedic duo comprised of Leianne Mc-Millan and Ben Johnson.
Levi Mawhirter, sophomore Bible youth and family ministries major from Hewitt, was given a free ticket to the event and decided to attend.
“I thought it was really neat to see a different aspect of the community that you wouldn’t normally see,” he said. “A lot of times we get so focused on ACU that we forget what else is going on in Abilene.”
Lori Thornton, office finance and grants manager for Connecting Caring Communities,
said the event’s purpose was to raise money and build community; the show earned a total of $20,000.
“We wanted to bring people together in a fun event that would be good for family and kids,” Thornton said.
Founded in 2005, CCC’s purpose is to make meaningful relationships with people and create safe and whole communities. The organization has three basic strategies to bring communities together: the caring team, haven houses and friendship houses. The caring team works within the city to unite businesses, churches, civic groups and residents.
“The Caring Team is a large and diverse group of caring partners, connected by a desire to care for others and help make the community a better place for everyone,” according to the organization’s Web site. Haven houses are homes that unite neighbors where they live. They sponsor block parties, help neighbors and offer friendship to whoever needs it.
Friendship houses are homes built in vulnerable areas and occupied by CCC members. These members help to turn these impoverished neighborhoods into wholesome environments.
According to the organization’s Web site, “they serve as a platform to bring resources
for health, education and housing to residents.”
