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50¢SECTION A: VOL. 26 NO. 6 AUG. 4 -10, 2016
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The Official Legal Organ of DeKalb County, GA. Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.
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See Redan on Page 5A
Bradshaw refutes stolen valor claimsLOCAL, 12A
Back to school celebrated in Redan
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
F
or most of the day on July
26, Redan Recreation Center
was a scene of celebration.
The center, located at
1869 Phillips Road in Lithonia,
hosted a Back to School 2016
event featuring a school supplies
giveaway, food and drinks, games,
dancing, guest speakers and
performances from local artists.
More than 200 backpacks filled
with school supplies were given to
students in need courtesy of Colour
U Cosmetics, Walmart and Ladies
With Vision.
Brandon Riley, executive
director of East DeKalb Boys &
Girls Club, said the event was a
culmination of the center’s summer
camp. He also said it was an
overall celebration of the end of the
summer season for 165 students
heading back to school.
“I’m from the neighborhood—I
actually grew up a block away—and
it meant the world to me to bring
something back to the community,”
Riley said. “This is a great sendoff
for all of our parents. It’s not a lot,
but this is a start. We’re preparing
our kids for the next level.”
Karen Stallings, CEO of Colour
U Cosmetics at Stonecrest Mall and
other locations, said she wanted
to work with Boys & Girls Club
because her now 31-year-old son is
a proud product of the organization.
“I was a single mom and he was
at the Boys & Girls Club. They kept
him in a safe environment. He was
able to enjoy different activities and
learn social skills,” Stallings said.
“When I come to Georgia I see a lot
of children who need things. I’m just
glad Colour U could be a part of this
and give back.”
Stallings’ workers have been
fundraising every day since May
to ensure the backpacks were
purchased and filled. She said the
Boys & Girls Clubs has worked
wonders in her own life and she
was happy to return the favor.
“You don’t need to wait until
Boys & Girls Club has a giveaway
event to contribute,” Stallings
said. “You can make a donation
any time and they are more than
appreciative.”
Riley said the giveaway
coincided with the summer camp’s
theme of “My Life Matters,” where
attending children were encouraged
that their life is important to
the future. A choir and dance
performance from Encore and
Unison, respectively, carried the
same theme.
“Right now, we’re in a tough
situation with a lot of African-
Boys & Girls Club and local businesses
partner for school supplies drive
A backpack giveaway took place at Redan Recreation Center benefitting the East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club, coinciding with a
back-to-school celebration.
Boys & Girls Club at Redan Recreation Center celebrated the end of summer camp
with a back-to-school celebration featuring performances and games.

2. LOCAL Aug. 4 -10, 2016 • Page 5A
REDAN Continued From Page 1A
Americans and minorities being
killed in the streets. Now we’re
losing police officers,” Riley said.
“It’s about my kids’ lives at the end of
the day.”
DeKalb County police officer
Emmett Jenkins talked briefly with
students, reinforcing that police
are an agency for good in the
community.
“Not only do your lives matter,
but we [the police] love each and
every one of you,” Jenkins said.
“We’re here to make a difference in
your lives. We’re your friends. We
want to see you all succeed in life.
Never be afraid to go to a police
officer to help—that’s what we’re
here for.”
Local artist Denzel Phillips gave
a performance hoping to inspire
children to pursue their passions.
Phillips performed three original
songs in addition to a cover.
“I’m a product of Boys & Girls
Club and I’m all for empowering
youth, especially with everything
that’s been going on lately,” Phillips
said. “I want children to see
something positive. Not everyone
is going to be a doctor or a lawyer;
some of us have [other ] dreams.
People want to be singers and I
want them to see that hard work
pays off.”
Phillips, a domestic violence
survivor, said he was a problem child
until he found his niche in dancing.
He attributes everything positive in
his life to passionately pursuing art.
“I want them to be inspired,”
Phillips said.
East DeKalb Boys & Girls
Club serves Marbut, Wynnbrooke,
Princeton, Redan and Shadow
Rock elementary schools, Redan
and Stephenson middle schools as
well as Arabia Mountain, Lithonia
Stephenson and Redan high
schools. For more information,
visit http://www.bgcma.org/club/
eastdekalb or call (770) 469-2126.
DeKalb County Police Officer Emmett Jenkins spoke to
children about having a good relationship with police
officers.
Brandon Riley, executive director of the East DeKalb
Boys & Girls Club, said it was nice to bring a charitable
event to the neighborhood he grew up in.
Boys & Girls Club at Redan Recreation Center
celebrated the end of summer camp with a back-to-
school celebration featuring performances and games.