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Selma High School held a “Donuts for Dad’’ event on Thursday morning.

Over a spread of donuts, pig in a blanket and assorted fruits, fathers heard Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr., former Selma City Schools Superintendent Donald Jefferson and Selma High Principal Stoney Pritchett speak about the lack of fathers in their children’s lives.

Pritchett said the purpose of the event is to get fathers back involved in their son’s lives.

Perkins, the first African-American mayor in Selma, discussed his upbringing in the Queen City.

“It was thuggish back then as it now,” Perkins said. “I grew up on Marie Foster Street and I didn’t have sense back then. It was by the grace of God that I changed.”

Perkins said women and men both must take a leadership role in their children’s lives.

“We need the men involved, we also need the sisters to get involved,” Perkins said. “The boys need our help. The young ladies need to be brought up like young ladies.”

Selma City Councilwoman Lesia James, Gospel Tabernacle Pastor John E. Grayson, Selma City Attorney Major Madison, Pastor Chris Minter, former Selma Police officers Toriano Neely, his son Marquis Neely and current SPD officer Walter Curtis also attended the event.

Toriano Neely and Grayson both suggested that volunteers should step up and lead the young men.