Rally Aims To 'Make Men Stronger'

Luis Leon quotes a maxim from Proverbs to describe the purpose behind the first 1-Man Rally slated for this weekend.

"As iron sharpens iron, so does one man strengthen another," Leon, a coordinator for Hernando Sumter HeadStart, quoted Wednesday as he stood at the edge of Kennedy Park.

Leon and Pastor Clarence Clark of Shiloh Problem Solvers, a nonprofit ministry in Brooksville that aims to guide young males, expect the park to be filled with men of all ages this Saturday for the inaugural rally.

The rally runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kennedy Park, 835 School St. in Brooksville.

The goal of the day, full of games, discussions and other activities, is to strengthen the bond between males and provide role models for youngsters who need them, Leon said.

The lack of those role models is manifesting itself among young males in poor grades and behavior, and in the worse cases dropouts and crime, he said.

"There's an epidemic, and when men don't get involved, we're seeing the results here in our own community," Leon said.

Children and teens from Eckerd Youth Challenge in Brooksville and the Hope Youth Ranch in Pasco County will be on hand, ripe for role models, said Pastor Clarence Clark, who leads Shiloh Problem Solvers.

"What they really need to see is that there is a group of men who care," Clark said.

Older men will be encouraged to choose a youngster to work with during the event.

But the rally is not limited to that dynamic, Leon said. Fathers are also welcome to bring their sons for some good old-fashioned male bonding.

Among the games scheduled are flag football, three-point shootouts and tug of war. Between the games will be more serious group and one-on-one discussions with topics such as "What Makes a Man" and "Why Am I Angry."

A free lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

The rally is being held with support from Pasco-Hernando Community College, Department of Children and Families and Career Central. The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department is allowing use of the park facilities.

The event is an example of how "networking works," Clark said.

"It's about us coming together as a community to accomplish what we know needs to happen," he said.

If you go

WHAT: 1-Man Rally.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7.

WHERE: Kennedy Park, 835 School St., Brooksville.

ADMISSION: Free. Free lunch will be served at 1 p.m.

CONTACT: (352) 796-5555 or 754-2464.