The final day of Lift Camp was not only a day to honor the accomplishments of the children who participated, but a way to bridge gaps between the community and law enforcement .

The participants in the three-week camp, which is sponsored by Chris Martin’s Project Lift mentoring program, also sent live regards via social media to two young men undergoing cancer treatment — Jalik Drew of Gaston and Derrin Mallory of Roanoke Rapids.
“We love you Jalik, we love you Drew,” Martin said, leading the children as the group message went live over Facebook. “We want you to keep fighting.”

(For more information on Project Lift call Martin at 252-678-3803)

This was the second camp Martin held under the Project Lift banner and the closing party, held today at River Falls Park in Weldon, brought law enforcement from across the Roanoke Valley to the event.
“Chris Martin is a great guy,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said. “He’s all about the community and all about the children.”
Martin said the three weeks of camp went “better than we planned. Everything fell in place.”
Sixty-five children participated in the camps, which included weekly field trips. Last year attendance was 40.
Throughout the run of the camp, the children heard from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Hannah’s Place and Judge Teresa Freeman.

The camp was just not for recreation, Martin said. An hour was devoted each day to academics, helping the children in math and literacy.

The wind down event at the park, he said, was a way “to show appreciation for everyone on the team.”

For Enfield police Chief Tyree Davis the camp shows how law enforcement and the community can pull together. “Anything we can do to help just give us a call.”
Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith told WTVD during an interview with the TV station, which also covered the event, “I think it’s a good thing. It brings two counties together. We need to work closely with our children.”
Law enforcement participation is a calculated part of the camp and Project Lift, Martin said. “The one thing we’re trying to do is bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. We had the (Operation) Rockfish (police corruption) situation put a damper on things. We want to rebuild that trust and bridge that gap.”
Martin is already looking to make Lift Camp bigger next year. “Each year it’s going to grow,” he said. “We’re looking to have camp sites in Northampton and Halifax.”