The Edmundite Missions held its annual community festival Friday as hundreds of people came out to kick off summer.

Kids were running around, playing games, eating shaved ice and having a good time while adults got to relax, enjoy food and have a chance at winning some prizes.

“It’s a blessing in itself because the Edmundites give so much back to the community … it’s a blessing for the kids and the families just to enjoy a good time today,” Turkesa Sullivan said.

Sullivan brought her 4-year-old son, Kausti, to enjoy the games and fun.

“I got him out of daycare just to come and enjoy today because he doesn’t get out as much because I’m a single mom of two,” she said.

“It’s exciting to see everybody coming together as one to enjoy this. I just thank the Edmundites for putting on this community event for Selma, and I hope they continue to do it every year.”

Chad McEachern, president and CEO of the Edmundite Missions, said the event is an important way to bring the community together.

During the event, McEachern presented a check for $5,000 to council members to ensure no child or youth is turned away from the city of Selma public pool for lack of entrance fee funds.

“Since this is the only community pool available it is important to us in the missions that every child or youth wanting to swim is given that opportunity,” McEachern said.

The missions updated the Dinkins Pool a couple of years ago, and McEachern said they still work to ensure the community gets to enjoy it.

“When we committed to renovating and re-opening the Dinkins Pool, it was a steadfast and lasting commitment. Just as we haven’t abandoned Selma since our founding in 1937, we will not abandon a single child or family that simply seeks to escape the summer heat and fellowship with one another,” McEachern said. “We will not allow a child to be turned away just because they lack the funds.”

McEachern said the missions is only able to do what they do because of the thousands of people across the United States who support them as partners in ministry.

“While most of them live hundreds of miles away and couldn’t be here today, let’s give them a round of applause loud enough for them to hear,” McEachern told those in attendance.

The Edmundite Missions has been serving the people of Selma for 80 years now, and McEachern said they now feel like part of the community that they set out to help.

“The Edmundite Missions came here to serve the Selma community,” McEachern said. “After 80 years, we’re proud to now be part of this community. We’re proud to have the opportunity to host days like today when our neighbors can play together, because we know that when our community plays together, it stays together.”