NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — It was a busy day in Newport News on Saturday at An Achievable Dream Middle & High School where Councilman John Eley and Olympic gold medalist and Hampton native Francena McCorory provided a safe space to the community for both food and fellowship.
This was the fifth annual Community Holiday Feeding & Fellowship event hosted by Eley and McCorory. Community members had access to free food, live music, entertainment and books for the kids in Newport News. Eley and McCorory told 13 News Now that they look forward to this event every year.
"We just want the message to be that Newport News is a great city. We come together, we fellowship, we learn, we teach, we work on health care, and we're just an all-around community and family-oriented city," said Councilman John Eley.
"It's nice for the holidays to just come together with the community that supported me the most during my Olympic journey," said McCorory.
"There's a lack of medical care in downtown Newport News, and we're here to provide that medical care and we just want to be a support to the community," said Fishing Point Healthcare Operations Manager Caitlin Brnich.
Hampton University and Bethel High School alum Francena McCorory relished the opportunity to give back to her community and inspire the kids of her hometown to believe in themselves and chase their dreams like she did.
"I'm hoping that me being here in the flesh can show them that if I can do it, then they can do the same thing. It feels amazing, and it's important to show people that you can do great things from the area that you're from. You don't have to go out and move to another place in order to be successful," said McCorory.
"She's always about giving back to her community. We're just so happy to have a team of people here that's committed not just to Newport News but committed to the community at it's whole," said Councilman Eley.
Councilman Eley and McCorory provided over 500 books to children at the event and are motivated to continue this holiday tradition for years to come.