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Berlin approves Unity in the Community day

BERLIN– Still coping with the death of 16-year-old Tymeir D. Dennis and the severe injury of his brother Tyheim D. Bowen, the town approved plans for a Unity in the Community day during a Mayor and Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 11.
A Berlin-based Maryland State trooper hit the brothers, crossing the street on foot, while he was driving an unmarked police car on a routine patrol on Nov. 8.
Pastor Robert Brooks, Jr., senior pastor at Solid Rock Outreach Ministry, presented the event to the council.
“Last year, as you’ll recall, Tymeir Dennis and Tyheim were involved in a serious, tragic accident,” Brooks said. “Tymeir lost his life and Tyheim lost his leg to his hip.”
Brooks said the boys’ mother, Tynise Bowen, wanted to commemorate her sons.
“Knowing that her son has interest in music and wants to do other things and financially it’s not there for them, we wanted to as a church body and as a community body put together an event that would both commemorate the son who passed away and at the same time honor the one who is still with us.”
The event would raise money to send Bowen, an avid drummer, to music school. Brooks hoped funds could also help the boys’ mother fix her car.
“She has to travel to Baltimore for his therapy, prosthetics and things like that and her car is not in the best of shape,” Brooks said. “He’s being fitted for his permanent prosthetic and he’s going to be in Baltimore for a few weeks and the family really has no way of getting to him. We wanted to be able to either get her car into a body shop or get her a new vehicle that would be dependable.”
Brooks said the fundraiser would include a youth basketball tournament, games, several bouncy houses, food vendors and guest speakers and celebrities. Legendary former Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed has agreed to attend, according to Brooks.
Solid Rock, a 503c nonprofit, will sponsor with ABC Supply and Apostle Construction Company.
Councilmember Lisa Hall praised Brooks’ efforts.
“This was a tragedy in the community and as a result of this … a lot has been done with the help of the Berlin Police Department and other officials to get the crosswalk there at Bay Street,” she said. “I think this is a very good idea.
“I did run into Tyheim Tuesday night at National Night out and his spirit was overwhelming,” Hall continued. “He had a smile on his face. They’ve been through a lot in a short time, and … I think this is a good idea to bring it all together.”
Councilmember Dean Burrell motioned to approve the event and the council approved unanimously.
“Thank you for your foresight and your sensitivity to the needs of the community,” Burrell said.
Unity in the Community is set for Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Dr. William Henry Park and Stephen Decatur Park. To donate to the event, mail checks to Solid Rock Ministries, 16 South Main Street, Berlin, Md. 21811.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/SROutreach.