BLUFFTON, S.C. (WSAV) -- One Lowcountry family wanted to turn their tragedy into something positive for the community, and the community responded with love, food and fun
10-year-old Adam Meissner dies when he was hit by a car earlier this week. Instead of having a formal church service, his parents said they wanted to honor him with a picnic for the kids that knew him, and even ones that didn't. Hundreds of families came to this special event in Oscar Frazier Park, bringing Adam's favorite snack, Taki's, with them. The goal was not to mourn, but to celebrate Adam's life and show that his spirit lives on.
Shaun Olsen, the pastor of Venture Church, said, "You watch a young man's life being taken too early, seeing kids play and enjoy the life he would. There's something that offers you both sides of the emotion. I'm watching my two sons here today and enjoy this beautiful day in honor of a friend."
Another church member, Angie Noye, said, "Even those that did not know him and have shared with me that I have a child or I had a grandchild. So it hits close to home. And so I think that it's beautiful how people feel that and they want to come out and support any way that they can."
Everything for the event, from food to rides and more, was all donated by the community or local businesses, so the entire event was free to the public.