Positive interaction, voter registration, a day of fun, food and games can be found at the upcoming Community Appreciation Day in Washington.

The free event, headed by Barbara Gaskins and Marc Recko, director of the Washington Housing Authority and Mid-east Housing Authority, will be held on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1205 Cooper Street in Washington and is open to the public.

“It is just getting the community to interact positively,” said Barbara Gaskins, community activist. “We are going to have voter registration as well to get the people out to vote and let them know and understand the importance of voting.”

According to Gaskins, the candidates for Beaufort County Sheriff have been invited and some have indicated they will attend.

According to Recko, Gaskins has been working with the housing authority and Oakcrest apartment complex to host the event. Oakcrest was partly responsible for getting a new playground built at the complex, last December. KaBOOM! playground builders and community volunteers constructed the playground in an effort to provide outdoor spaces for kids to play across the U.S.

“She is great,” said Recko. “What they’ve gotten together is a spring celebration, opening up the playground for the spring, and celebrating the community.”

According to Gaskins, she hopes to host a kickball game if enough people attend the event. There will also be bounce houses, cotton candy machines, music, face painting and two grills that will be cooking free food.

According to Gaskins, she and Recko have been collaborating to come up with ideas for community events and activities.

“He’s just been providing a lot of support and in agreement for a lot of the activities that we are trying to do with the community,” Gaskins said.

Gaskins conducted the Trunk or Treat event last year and she continues to be involved in the community. Trunk or treat is an event geared to be an alternative to trick or treating, in which people decorate their trunks and give out candy.

If you would like to donate food or supplies or if you would like to volunteer for the Community Appreciation Day, call Barbara Gaskins at 252-721-8155.