MANSFIELD — Travontae Wilson was inspired to organize a “Community Day” by his son Cameron.
He said he doesn’t want Cameron, 9, to be afraid of law enforcement — so he asked some friends if they would be interested in a basketball game with Mansfield police officers.
“His favorite sport is basketball and he’s told me, ‘Daddy, I want to see you beat the cops,'” Wilson said. “Some of them are on my team.
“I’ve been in some trouble before, so he hasn’t really seen police officers in a good light. But they’ve really helped me get back on track.”
Wilson’s Community Day will be July 13 at The Friendly House from 3 to 7 p.m. It will feature a basketball game with community members and police officers.
“The officers will be out of their uniforms, so all the kids will see them as just regular people,” Wilson said. “I think that will bridge that gap a little.
“If you see a police officer playing your favorite sport wearing basketball gear, I hope that can build respect and trust.”
Community Day to include bounce houses, food trucks
Wilson, the owner of EZ Handymen, said he hopes to make Community Day an annual event if enough people attend.
The event will be free to the public and feature bounce houses, face painting, food trucks and some vendors.
Buckeye Imagination Museum will also have a station with toys and hands-on activities for kids.
“It will be fun for the whole family,” the Mansfield native said.
Grace McClenathan will also perform live music during the event.
The event’s sponsors are Chris Durbin of Fairway Mortgage, John Pavlansky of Dream Huge Realty, Tyler Thomas and Jalen Reese of Northwestern Mutual, Nick Godfrey of First Ohio Logistics LLC, Kristin Brown Attorney at Law, Tyler Amos, NECIC, Braxton Daniels of 3rd Cup Tea and Empire Sportswear.
