At Up & Coming Weekly, we have always appreciated and admired Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s remarkable capacity to show passionate, compassionate, and empathic support to its residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
This home-spun collaborative spirit is characterized by a local willingness to address the challenging needs and issues of the community that define our identity and ultimately strengthen our community. I am continually inspired by the many unsung heroes in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, people who generously dedicate their time, talents, and resources to making our community not only livable, but lovable.
For 29 years, Up & Coming Weekly newspaper has been privileged to share local stories and to cover major events that reflect our community's brand. We are consistently guided by our readers' invaluable insights, which have led us to countless stories of controversy, compassion, significant achievements, and noteworthy accomplishments. Learning and listening to what is important to our readers has kept us relevant to the community and has never steered us in the wrong direction.
A recent and compelling example of this spirit is the Eastover community's initiative on behalf of Sullivan Brooke Smith. At one year old, Sullivan is bravely facing a rare and severe form of epilepsy, which necessitates extensive hospital treatments and tests. However, despite these challenges, Sullivan's spirit remains remarkably bright, joyful, and resilient. She is an amazing little girl!
In a display of compassion and solidarity, residents of the Eastover community have rallied to support the Smith family with prayers, love, and unwavering assurance that they are not alone in their fight for Sullivan's recovery. This collective community effort has led to the creation of the "Shine for Sullivan" event dedicated to supporting Sullivan and her family.
The "Shine for Sullivan" will take place at Eastover Ball Park on June 21 and will feature a variety of fun, family-friendly activities designed to engage the community and raise much-needed funds for the Smith family. They will have something on hand for everyone, including a Walkathon, a Pickleball Tournament, and a Bake Sale. We encourage Up & Coming Weekly readers to learn more about the event and Sullivan's medical journey by visiting www.shineforsullivan.com.
Every individual involved, every planned activity, and every dollar raised through Eastover's community support will undoubtedly uplift Sullivan and alleviate the burdens faced by the Smith family. This initiative stands as a powerful testament to how a community comes together to embrace and assist a neighbor confronting significant challenges. This embodies the essence of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community, and it is precisely what our local newspaper is committed to showcasing.
We look forward to seeing you in Eastover on June 21. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

(Photo: Photo of Sullivan courtesy of www.shineforsullivan.com)