Fort Mill marks MLK Day with message of hope, music and “Peace Walk”

For the eighth year in a row, citizens and community leaders gathered Monday at the Fort Mill Church of God to honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Boy Scout Troop 219 carried a banner to mark the community’s annual MLK holiday event, as the town’s new mayor, Guynn Savage, and Rudy Sanders led children from the Boys and Girls Club and others on a “Peace Walk” from the Church of God to a reception at the Fort Mill History Museum.

Volunteers then congregated to clean up around the George Fish Memorial in Fort Mill’s Paradise Community.

Monday’s observance was organized by town employees, along with Sanders, Ann Evans, Johnnie Murdock, Valerie Cargile McCullough, and the Rev. Phillip F. Cargile. The Church of God, Fort Mill History Museum, Fort Mill Fire Department, Fort Mill Golf Club, Boy Scout Troop 219, and Elks Lodge 2859 assisted.

Banks Trail Middle School student Sarah Kate Elhamahmy and Fort Mill Middle School student Annamarie Yates were chosen to read their essays.

“King has inspired me to stand up for what I believe in,” Annamarie said. “He has sparked a fire that I will use to make our world a better place for all of us, and I hope you will do the same.”

The service itself was a call to action for Fort Mill residents.

“‘Let us move on in these powerful days,’” said keynote speaker Juanita Sanders, echoing King’s words. “These are days of challenges. Our world is gripped with fear. Our world is gripped with violence. Our world is gripped with pain, but there is hope. Hope. Hope. Let us be great. Let us be servants.”

Savage, who was sworn in as the town’s mayor earlier this month, called Sanders “a treasure.”

“I’m not sure I’m a treasure, but I’m a child of God,” Sanders replied.

Born in Fort Mill’s Paradise Community, Sanders devoted 30 years of her career to serving children in the Fort Mill schools. She retired from teaching last June and currently serves in leadership positions within several church and community organizations.

Sanders said Americans are growing toward realizing King’s dreams, but there is still work to do: local homelessness, illiteracy and a lack of support for some seniors and children. She called on residents to “go out and help make Fort Mill a better place.”

“Dr. King led by example,” Sanders said. “He was willing to help whomever he could whenever he could. He faced challenges and dangers to help others. He was truly a servant until the end. According to Dr. King, everybody can be great because everyone can serve. … We can honor and celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy by reaching out and helping others.”

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Fort Mill marks MLK Day with message of hope, music and “Peace Walk”."