HAMLET – Hundreds of fans of Los Angeles Chargers’ football star Melvin Ingram, a native of Hamlet and a graduate of Richmond Senior High School, flocked to Memorial Park in Hamlet on Saturday, June 9 for the 5th Annual Melvin’s Mission Fun Day. An abundance of free activities were available, including inflatables, outdoor games, door prizes, face painting, balloon animals, and a gamer truck.
Melvin’s sisters Monique and Callie greeted people as they arrived at the park. Babies in strollers, toddlers, little ones running everywhere with parents or grandparents close behind, as well as teenagers and adults filled the park in anticipation of Melvin’s arrival. Volunteers, including RSHS Football Coach Bryan Till, assisted with making sure that cold bottled water was available throughout the day for everyone. A lunch of tasty grilled hot dogs, slushies, and a variety of chips were served to the hungry crowd.
Erial Norton and Darice Martin were among the volunteers passing out t-shirts with the logo for Melvin’s Mission. A variety of popular music played throughout the day, provided by DJ Base and Foxy 99. The company Interactive Playground provided the multitude of games that were available. Ben and Matt were the young men who assisted those brave enough with a combination rope climb, tire climb, and rock climb while being secured in a harness as they rose to the top of the attraction. A video games truck was very popular, especially with the teenagers. A multi-colored train carried young and old alike around the park, providing a brief respite from the hot sun.
A huge red, yellow, and blue inflatable slide was the next attraction, and the children seemed to enjoy sliding at least several times when possible. Next was a square-shaped inflatable named Meltdown, providing a challenge with its rotating arms that could be jumped over or ducked under, making it even harder when several people were in the mix. RSHS Graduate Daryn Mason, who will be majoring in Neuroscience at UNC and rising senior Caleb Ross enjoyed the Meltdown, as well as Marquis Baldwin and Andre Green, students from Monroe Avenue Elementary School who will be attending Hamlet Middle School in the fall.
The next red and blue inflatable, The Big Baller, was reminiscent of a challenge from the TV show Wipeout, with participants jumping from the top of one huge ball to the next, depending upon their personal sense of balance (and luck as well). Staff Eduardo Herrera watched closely and provided encouragement to the children as they made their attempts.
Field Goal Challenge provided the opportunity for younger and older students to practice kicking, punting, and throwing. Bazooka Ball Shootout was very popular with even the youngest children, some who would even climb in and attempt to dunk the basketball. Most of them would stand in the appropriate place and shoot for several minutes, then give others a chance to play as well. Batter Up was popular with girls and boys alike, as cousins Shaniya Bailey, 6 years old, and Skylar Jones, 3 years old, took turns swinging the bat at a variety of balls that hovered over a rush of air, scoring hits to first base as well some home runs.
An enormous gray, yellow, and black inflatable obstacle course that stretched across the side of Memorial Park was a challenge for many of the youngsters, including brother Brantlee, 5 years old, and Bobby Mumford, 8 years old. Other games that were available included Whip Snake, Snake Pit, Ricochet, Ring Toss, and Arena. Larry Chavis was at the Big Top inflatable with his two year old great nephew Kailem who was having fun, but seemed eager to explore the other attractions.
There was a line for face painting and balloons, as five year old Ainesse Rosado waited patiently with her mom for her personalized flower balloons. Children were transformed into Batman, Superman, Spiderman, even The Incredible Hulk or Wonder Woman in a matter of minutes.
Many folks were waiting patiently for the arrival of Melvin Ingram, and many of his relatives were present also, including Nellie and John Valentino travelling from Danbury, Connecticut; Herman Barringer from Boston, Massachusetts; Jerry and Leroy Tinnin; and Debra and Scott Ingram. When Melvin arrived, rather than sit down and signing autographs as many celebrities do, he walked through the crowd, shaking hands and talking with his family members, friends, and fans, allowing time for pictures with old and new friends as well. Perhaps the most heartfelt pictures were captured with a RSHS friend Ike Carlyle, who is confined to a wheelchair. They were close friends throughout the years at Richmond Senior, according to Ike’s sister Mandy Hutton, who was accompanied by her husband Richard and children Hayle and Dakotah.
After walking through the crowd and speaking with multiple well-wishers, Ingram did sit down in a shaded area for an autograph-signing session, allowing hundreds of his fans the opportunity to get his autograph. Volunteers continued to pass out nylon backpacks to children and adults alike.
Ingram attended the University of South Carolina and was an All-American as a senior. Selected in the first round by the Chargers in the 2012 NFL Draft, Ingram has had a successful career, playing in the NFL Pro Bowl in 2017. But he certainly has not forgotten his hometown of Hamlet and those that helped him to achieve his success as a football star. “It’s just a way of saying ‘Thanks’ to all of those who have been there for me through the years,” said Ingram. “We just want everyone to have fun and enjoy the day!”
According to its Facebook page, the purpose of Melvin Ingram’s Mission Possible Foundation is “To provide inner city and low-income children with educational opportunities to reach their full potential and beat the odds.”
