Christian hip-hop concert livens Bruce St. neighborhood

Music, free food and break dancing highlighted an outdoor party on Bruce Street Saturday, as over 100 people arrived at the usually empty lot at West Hillside and Bruce Streets.

The music group who performed was Gen 14, a Christian hip hop group.

The free event was presented by South County Transformation, a group of eight South County churches pooling their money for outreach purposes according to Richard Titus, director of Youth Ministries at Crossroads Bible Fellowship. Having worked for both North Valley High School and Anderson Union High School, Titus said he has long wanted to provide for the Bruce St. community, where he said many of his student came from.

Titus said he spoke with Keith Webster last year about the idea, who in turn spoke with Jon Thompson of Redding Transformation.

"That's how South County Transformation got kicked off," Titus said. "It comes out of the heart of wanting to change the community."

The group plans to bring another community event to the Bruce Street area in the summertime, according to South County Transformation Coordinator DeAnna Gallagher.

"There are needs here," Gallagher said of the Bruce Street neighborhood. "We want to bring hope and connect to the community."

Anderson City Councilpersons Webster, Melissa Hunt and Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb were among the volunteers at the event, serving hot dogs.

For more information about South County Transformation, call 365-9188.