For months, people have talked about the Brown YMCA and how it is a staple of the community.

The Brown Y is in bad shape. It needs a new roof. The electrical wiring needs repair. This is not a coat of paint type fix-up. There simply is not enough money to fix the Y.

The Brown Y is not a Johnny-come-lately. Many folks have gone through that building, learned skills, such as swimming; gotten up their homework; and learned other life skills, such as getting along, how to manage time and how to live in community.

All those reasons and more are why the Selma City Council, lead by councilwoman Susan Keith and councilman Sam Randolph held the first Mardi Gras Gala to benefit the Brown Y.

Other council members Angela Benjamin, Corey Bowie, Cecil Williamson and Tommy Atchison joined with Keith and Randolph to make the gala a success.

People ate, danced, and enjoyed community Friday night, knowing they were contributing to a good cause.

It is this kind of community building that will help Selma grow into the Queen City she deserves to become. It is this kind of action that will prevent another building from becoming an empty, torn down shell in a neighborhood.

The Brown Y still needs help. But the movement is there to make it happen, thanks to this event and awareness raising.