Photo by Sha J Ham
Growing up in Pleasantville, Durann Neil Jr. never heard about successful professionals from his hometown.
That's why the attorney who now has a practice in Atlantic City wanted to treat some kids to a fun day this weekend.
A Facebook post led to four busloads heading to Great Adventure for a day of fun, courtesy of the hometown lawyer.
Neil first planned to have about 100 kids, but that more than doubled when 202 kids went to the park Saturday, with about 70 adults.
"The event was nothing less than awesome," Robbi Ford told BreakingAC. "Neil Law was able to bring together children from different communities and backgrounds for a day of unforgettable excitement and fun. Durann Neil Jr. has a heart of gold and made this day memorable for all the communities involved."
Her 15-year-old son was among a group of about 20 children from Cumberland County ages 5-17, said the Bridgeton mom who knew Neil when both were growing up in Pleasantville.
Parents were invited as well, with those ages 10 to 15 able to come alone with a signed permission slip.
"I wanted to show the kids that there are people in their community who care about them, and wants to help them on the path to success," Neil said.
The attorney works on a lot of criminal defense cases and wants kids to see that someone from their community can be on the other side of the defense table.
"Growing up in our community, we are taught and tend to believe that the only people that are doing well financially are the drug dealers and people that commit crimes," Neil said. "However, that's not true. I wanted the kids to know that there are professionals in their community that, and they can be one too.
"So by reaching down and taking the kids out, they can realize that they too can be an attorney or a doctor because somebody from their community did it," he added.
Posts tagging Neil and his law firm with thanks for the event filled their Facebook pages Sunday.
Many of them shared a video put together by Neil's friend Sha J Ham, showing highlights of the day.
