Thousands U.N.I.T.E. at BBQ in Norwalk

Assemblymember Cristina Garcia and Norwalk City Councilmember Luigi Vernola were all smiles during this past weekend’s community barbeque sponsored by “U.N.I.T.E.” at the lawn at the Norwalk Civic Center. Randy Economy Photo

By Brian Hews
Nearly 10,000 people attended a free barbeque this past Saturday at Norwalk City Hall in which promoters focused on community harmony, safety, as well as to provide an open dialogue between members of law enforcement, local faith based organizations, city leaders, and between residents.
Planned, coordinated by sponsored by Norwalk U.N.I.T.E. The festive family oriented event featured old-fashioned grilled hot dogs, a chili cook off, bouncers, slides, a zip line, face painting, live musical performances, and more than two dozen information booths that were sponsored by individual Norwalk churches and service groups.
Residents also got vital information on how to enroll in the new government provided healthcare program “Covered California,” and to pick up tips on how to help beat the current drought, and how to save on rising electrical and gas bills.
Norwalk City Councilman Luigi Vernola, who is one of the founding members of U.N.I.T.E. donned a patriotic red, white, and blue apron and chef’s hat and talked to several of the residents attending the event that took place during a five-hour period.
“Today is dedicated to our community, our neighbors, and to the children of Norwalk,” Vernola told Hews Media Group-Community Newspaper at the event.
Vernola said that the group planned to distribute 1,000 back backs that were totally filled with back to school supplies. The veteran city council member said the “spirit of the Norwalk community is alive and well.”
Also visiting with residents in the crowd with Vernola was California State Assemblymember Cristina Garcia.
“Wow, this is an amazing turnout and so many volunteers have dedicated literally hundreds of hours to make this day possible,” Garcia said.
Vernola said that more than 4,000 hot dogs were gobbled up in the first couple of hours.
“This is what it’s all about, helping and giving back to the community. What a real Blessing,” Vernola said.