GIFFORD — Students got cheers and high-fives from law enforcement officials and community members as they walked through the “tunnel of hope” at Dodgertown Elementary School.

Tunnel of Hope was held shortly before 9 a.m. Monday at a walkway in the middle of the school, 4350 43rd Ave., Gifford. The human tunnel was made up of about 15 to 20 people, including members from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Sebastian Police Department, Fellsmere Police Department and the School District of Indian River County.

“It shows students there’s a community supporting them,” said Aimee McPartlan, executive director of the nonprofit Executive Roundtable of Indian River County. “They love it, you can see it on their faces.”

Some held up signs that read “We Believe in You,” “Capable of Success,” and “We are Talented” as students walked through the tunnel. The school has about 420 students, from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

“We try to get as many community members and officials as we can to come out and support the kids,” said School District of Indian River County spokeswoman Cristen McMillan.

Posted by Nick Samuel on Monday, 21 August 2017

The event was held in partnership between the Executive Roundtable of Indian River County and the school district, McPartlan said. It’s part of a nationwide initiative called Kids of Hope, which has different tunnels of hope at various locations in the country and believes every child is capable of success without exception.

“The tunnel is a way to put those words into action,” McPartlan said.

Principal Aretha Vernette thanked the community members and law enforcement officials for coming out to the tunnel of hope.

Some noteworthy people there were sheriff’s spokesman Eric Flowers, Fellsmere Police Chief Keith Touchberry, local N.A.A.C.P. President Tony Brown and school board member Tiffany Justice.