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Dayton Young Black Professionals partnered with McKinley United Methodist Church, The Dayton Foundation, CityWide Development Corporation and the Gem City Market on the project.
NaAsiaha Simon, DYBP's strategic partnership coordinator, said her organization sold out of tickets within minutes of making them available.
About 300 people in all requested the tickets.
She said similar movie nights will be organized in the future and more free tickets may be made available.
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>> FIRST REPORT (July 10, 2019): Free screening of ‘Lion King’ for kids impacted by Memorial Day tornadoes sells out
Children impacted by one of the worst natural disasters to hit Dayton in a generation have been invited to attend a screening of a live-action retelling of a classic Disney tale.
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Dayton Young Black Professionals have partnered with McKinley United Methodist Church, The Dayton Foundation, CityWide Development Corporation and the Gem City Market to treat children ages 5 to 14 to a private screening of Disney's "The Lion King" (2019) on July 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Huber Heights Rave 16.
All available spots (140 seats were available) have been claimed, organizers reported Wednesday afternoon.
"Due to overwhelming responses, Dayton Young Black Professionals (DYBP) is no longer able to accept RSVPs for our Community Appreciation Event," the group posted on its event page.
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"I was one of the inner city kids who didn't have the most privileges growing up, and I can only imagine the hardship the tornado brought upon families," Dayton Young Black Professionals President Daj'za Demmings said in a statement. "It's always my goal to give back to the city, but most importantly make an impact with the children as someone who can relate to them."
Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
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The free screening is part of the Dayton Young Black Professionals’ Gem City Tornado Recovery plan.
The National Weather Service confirmed 15 tornadoes for the Dayton area on Memorial Day.
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