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After over a year of meetings, planning and hard work the time for the big trip is fast approaching. The idea and dream of Broadway Heights Community Council (BHCC) President Robert Robinson is becoming a reality. In January of 2006 he began to consider, “Is it really possible for a small neighborhood council to carry out the Dream Trip of a lifetime for the youth, parents and seniors of Broadway Heights?” Well, the answer is, “Yes!”
It wasn’t easy. Many hours were spent on the computer, and on early morning cross-country telephone calls asking questions and making, checking and double-checking hotel reservations. (Do we get a free breakfast? Yes!) Hours were spent on grant proposals, writing and printing, trips to the post office, trips to visit prospective donors, and delegations to city, country, state and federal representatives. All were done.
Meetings were held with representatives of USA Coach, the bus that will be transporting 51 excited passengers and BHCC’s own bus driver, Tommy Vance.
Amazingly, the $19,000 bill for the bus was paid for by October of 2006!
BHCC’s Youth Leadership Team was actively involved in the process. This group of neighborhood kids, who meet once a month in a garage and hold their own officer elections, took an active part in the fund raising – holding raffles, serving pancakes, publicly speaking, about the trip, having a garage sale, gathering signatures for petitions and distributing flyers. Some youth even held their own fundraisers.
To date, all hotel, localized transportation, and entry tickets to events, theater, museums and tours have been paid for. Members have shirts and caps, cameras, journals and backpacks for the trip. Special lunches and dinners are also included.
Sponsors included Spirit of the Diamond, San Diego Neighborhood Funders, San Diego DA, Supervisor Ron Roberts, San Diego County, NUF, Congressman Filner, CNC, UAAMAC, Price Charities, and many others. |
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The Itinerary
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Sleepovers in Flagstaff, Arizona, Tucumcari, New Mexico, Ft. Smith, Arkansas
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Three days in Memphis, Tennessee (National Civil Rights Museum, Lorraine Motel, Graceland, Beale Street Music Tour)
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Sleepover in Bristol, Virginia
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Three days in Washington, DC (Youth placing wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, lunch with Congressman Filner and tour of Capitol, Howard University, Smithsonian Museums, attendance to The Phantom of the Opera at the Kennedy Center and sight-seeing)
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Petersburg National Civil War Battlefield conducted Ranger tour
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Sleepover in Greenville, South Carolina (dinner at family church of BHCC member)
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Sleepover in Atlanta, Georgia (The King Center, The Boyhood Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
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Burial place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Ebeneezer Church, The Georgia Aquarium)
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Selma, Alabama (Tour National Voting Rights Museum, walk across Edmund Pettis Bridge)
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Sleepovers in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Abilene, Texas, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Casa Grande, Arizona)
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And home to Broadway Heights, San Diego, California! |
