United Way of Forsyth County will host a community event called “Bridging 52” on Sunday, September 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. as part of its 100th anniversary celebration. Bridging 52 will be free and open to the public and will feature food trucks, a special art project, live entertainment, guest speakers, and information tables from United Way Partner Agencies.
Bridging 52 is more than just an event, it is a very public way for the community to acknowledge the divisive aspects of Highway 52 and actively seek ways to address them. By doing this the community can work towards creating a more cohesive and inclusive community for everyone in Forsyth County.
The event is being held on and adjacent to the Fourth Street bridge overlooking Hwy. 52. Free parking will be available in several adjacent parking lots. Food trucks lined up to be at the Bridging 52 event include Kona Ice, Taqueria Luciano, The Slush Rush, WUTYASAY Food Truck and Zekos 2 Go. Entertainment will include the Elite Athletics Center cheer squad, CIVIC Senior Center line dancing and Siren Series Jazz.
The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is coordinating community artists to paint a special art project on the roadbed of the bridge during the event. Featured speakers for Bridging 52 include Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines, City Council members John Larson and Annette Scippio, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Chair Don Martin, Bank of America Triad President and Senior Relationship Manager Greg Cox, and United Way of Forsyth County President and CEO Antonia Monk Richburg.
“The Bridging 52 event will be the community culmination of United Way of Forsyth County’s 100th anniversary celebration,” United Way of Forsyth County President and CEO Antonia Monk Richburg, Ph.D., said. “An event to literally bridge the communities on both sides of Hwy. 52 has long been discussed and anticipated in our community, and we’re so excited to finally be able to make it happen. By working together, we can ensure that the impact of this highway on our community becomes a positive and sustainable one.
“Our mission at United Way is to bring the community and its resources together to solve problems that no one organization can address alone, so we decided our 100th anniversary was the perfect time to finally make this event a reality,” Richburg added. “We are particularly honored that quite a few of United Way’s Partner Agencies are scheduled to be present at the event.”
Partner Agencies that will have a presence at Bridging 52 include:
- Action4Equity
- American Red Cross
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Amos Cottage Therapeutic Day Program Services
- Family Services
- Financial Pathways of the Piedmont
- Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina
- Imprints Cares
- LEAD Girls of NC
- Mental Health Association in Forsyth County
- The Parenting PATH
- The Salvation Army
- Winston-Salem State University REACH Program
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
- YWCA of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County
In the event of inclement weather, the date for the Bridging 52 event will be Sunday, September 24, from 3 to 6 p.m.
“We applaud the efforts of United Way of Forsyth County and congratulate them on their special anniversary. As the community comes together on September 10, we’ll celebrate many successes and achievements made to date, while also recognizing the important work still to be done. Bank of America remains committed to working with community partners to advance economic mobility by addressing regional challenges related to workforce development and education, community development and basic needs.”
Greg Cox, president, Bank of America Triad
Bridging 52 is made possible by the generous support of Bank of America, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Novant Health, and Wake Forest University. The Bridging 52 Art Project is being coordinated by the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and is funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds supported by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. United Way also thanks United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church for partnering in the Bridging 52 event.
About the United Way of Forsyth County
Convene, Collaborate, Catalyst: The United Way of Forsyth County brings the community and its resources together to solve problems that no one organization can address alone. Its vision is to create a world-class community where no one lives in poverty, and everyone holds the power to access the opportunities and resources needed to thrive.
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