It’s the 2006 “Young People for Jesus Festival: To Save our Youth”, an Outreach Benefit (formerly known as the “YOUTH RALLY”), the largest anti-drug, crime and violence protest in DC. The Festival’s purpose is to combine forces within the community by making a firm statement against the drugs and violence that are destroying our city and hindering our youth. The Festival will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2006 (Rain Date September 24th) from 1:00 to 7:30p.m. on the corner of 8th and Shepherd Street, NW. Attendance and parade participation has grown each successive year. In past years, there have been approximately 300 participants in the parade from over 25 organizations with young people ages 3-20. The Festival will kick off with a parade of drummers marching down Georgia Avenue to attract the community to this all day event. Featured will be our very own Allegheny East Drum Corp, drill teams, metro area gospel choirs, and motivational speakers. Each year the Mayor, the City Council, and the DC Police Chief have been represented. The Festival will include a bone marrow drive, blood pressure screenings, and the distribution of health information as well as anti-drug and crime literature. There will also be carnival rides and a variety of good food. We are expecting media coverage, as in previous years. Mayor Anthony Williams, City Council Officials, School Board Member, Police and Fire Departments, representatives from the Orange Hat Patrol, area churches, and others have been invited to participate. We certainly hope you are able to join us. If you have any questions, please email P.R. Coordinator Dianna E. Martin at (240-731-8946) or via e-mail at pembroke19@hotmail.com, or call the church office @ 202-829-2075.