Event, food bank to honor legacy of New Kent student

Drive and determination along with weariness with the high school scene prompted Jenna Grace King to graduate at age 16, a year earlier than her New Kent High School classmates.

Last fall, she entered Randolph College in Lynchburg to pursue a degree in political science. During her freshman year, she forged ahead with her goal of becoming an attorney, contacting several law schools. The world of politics would lie beyond. In the meantime, her passions included helping other people and standing up for animal rights.

“She was just on fire all the time about something,” her mother, Melanie King, said.

Tragically, that flame that burned so brightly was extinguished last March. While on a visit to a college friend in North Carolina, Jenna lost her life in an auto accident.

Her brief life, however, is not being forgotten. Her mom and dad, Billy King, along with members of Tabernacle United Methodist Church are honoring Jenna’s memory with “The Jenna Grace Birthday Bash” on Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Barhamsville church (20051 Tabernacle Road).

On the agenda from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. are live bands, food, children’s activities, a pie-eating contest, raffles, and a silent auction. New Kent sheriff’s personnel are conducting child safety seat checks, and fire and rescue vehicle demonstrations are planned. Visitors can also adopt dogs and cats, compliments of the New Kent Animal Shelter, and purchase Jenna Grace memory merchandise. The event is capped off with a spaghetti dinner (adults $12, children 10 and under $6) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The bash, however, is not just a one-time celebration. Organizers are aiming at an annual event, but more importantly, a first step to continue Jenna’s legacy through a permanent food bank and outreach service tentatively dubbed “Amazing Grace Outreach Ministries” taking from her middle name.

Those attending next month are being asked donate canned food. The church, meanwhile, has applied for non-profit corporation status for its endeavor. The ultimate goal is to construct a separate food bank building on church grounds.

“We want it to be more than just a food bank,” Melanie King said. “We want it to be a clothing bank and have job opportunities so people can improve themselves and eventually not have to come to a food bank.”

Visitors can also bring pet food or supplies for donation to New Kent’s animal shelter, helping fulfill another of Jenna’s passions. All proceeds from the event benefit either the food bank/outreach service or the animal shelter.

“Animals were another of Jenna’s causes, pigs in particular,” her mother said. “We’ve not eaten any pork or ham in our household for years because of her.

“She always wanted to help people, and that’s what this event is all about,” she said.

Tabernacle’s pastor, the Rev. Tom Tipton, agreed with the Kings’ assessment of their daughter.

“Jenna had the ability to not see things as obstacles, and nothing would hold her back,” he said. “She can live on and we can help the community by taking from her essence that vision.”

Some would consider Tabernacle’s rural location and small size in terms of congregation to be obstacles in the way of ambitious plans for a food bank and outreach program, but not Jenna, he said.

“Even though Tabernacle is a small church, we can reach out and do things and care for the community by taking the vision she did,” he said. “Jenna believed in doing something and not just talking about it. Even when she was told she couldn’t, she did.

“We’re looking to create from this, take her ability to dream and focus and look into the lower end of New Kent and upper James City to help those who are hungry, homeless, and in a way help New Kent Social Services to help those who fall through the gaps.”

“Dream big and pray large” serves as the project’s unofficial motto, Tipton added.

“We can continue to live on and do as Jenna did through this work and help people,” he said. “This is the first of many, many years of not only celebrating her life, but her vision and doing great things when we’re told we can’t.”

Organizers are seeking donations of merchandise, gift certificates, etc. for the raffles and silent auction, food for outdoor food booths, and money to offset costs. Volunteers to help with the event are also needed. To donate or volunteer, call (757) 810-4337 or e-mail Hisun4me@aol.com or contact event chairman Melanie King at (757) 566-2202, co-chairman Mary Kay Sellars at (757) 869-5603, or the church at (757) 566-0659.