More than 200 to 300 people attended the I Am Loved event, at the Brocton/Portland Community Park and were treated to hot dogs, bounce houses, school backpack giveaways, face painting, dunk tank, back-to-school supplies, clothing closet and child identification cards at no charge.

“This is a collaboration of a bunch of churches that have joined forces to reach the community, to bridge a gap and provide services in a unique and authentic way,” said the Rev. Joshua Ehmke, senior pastor of the Portland Congregational Church, 8649 Church St. “We’ve got Portland Volunteer Fire Department out here spraying the kids with water from their fire truck, we’re giving away free bibles, a ton of non-profit vendors providing information on the services they offer and provide and just a lot of fun going on.”

The event, while based in the northern part of Chautauqua County, drew attendees from the Jamestown area as well.

“This event is simply amazing,” said Olivia Little, a soon to be ninth-grade Jamestown High School student. “I give it five stars out of five stars. … I wish we had more events like this a little closer to Jamestown.”

From left, Hailey Higgs, a fifth grade student at Persell Middle School is fingerprinted, and had an identification card made by Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies at the Saturday, I Am Loved, event held at the Brocton/Portland Community Park.

For Kelly Potter, Hope Chautauqua coordinator, bringing the community together to execute events like the I Am Loved gathering requires a lot of hard work. However, she said that all the work is worth it at the end of the day.

“Hope Chautauqua is a division of Prevention Works of Jamestown,” said Potter. “We have eight different churches here today, deputies from the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and firefighters. Pulling off an event like this takes a lot of work and manpower, but it’s enjoyable work – you get to see the results of all your time, energy and efforts played out before you.”

Potter also highlighted various other events/activities offered at the I Am Loved event like free snow cones, popcorn, arts and crafts, food and drinks, face painting, a dunk tank and table set ups from various non-for-profit organizations.

One of the more popular events was the identification making station run by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, who conducted fingerprinting, and identification services, as part of New York state’s Operation Safe Child.

“I really want a badge,” said Hailey Higgs, a fifth grade student at Persell Middle School. “The police officers are really nice. They had me put my finger in ink. It was weird, but fun.”

Olivia Little, a soon to be ninth-grade Jamestown High School student gives a thumbs up after getting her face painted Saturday, at the I Am Loved program, held at the Brocton/Portland Community Park from 12 – 3p.m. Little stated, “This event is simply amazing.”