DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Many in the Daytona Beach community turned out in a big show of support for police officer Jason Raynor Saturday as he continues to recover after being shot more than a week ago.

Organizers called Saturday's event a CommUNITY Picnic and said it gave them a chance for everyone to unite during a difficult time.  

It was a celebration of the community at a time in Daytona Beach when people might need a little extra support from one another.   

Despite the gloomy day, many showed up in good spirits for music, food and conversation at City Island Complex.

When Kenya Tumer-Griffin heard about a CommUNITY Picnic at City Island Complex, she said she knew she had to be there. 

“It’s time for us to be public about our unity,” said Tumer-Griffin, who was born and raised in Daytona Beach. “It was profound and just thought that I needed to be here to support that.”

Willie Williams and Brooks Tomblin only met a week ago but quickly organized the event. 

“We want Daytona to be a community where all voices are heard and all people are valued,” Williams said. 

With the struggles the country has been going through for the past 15 months, including divisive interactions, and with the recent shooting of Raynor in Daytona Beach, they said it's important to talk with and listen to one another now more than ever.

“There’s so much division. Let’s let the healing start right here in little Daytona Beach, Florida,” Tomblin said. 

Wiliams and Tomblin said the support for the day has been overwhelming and they’ve heard from many who said the community really needed this.   

For Tumer-Griffin, she said she hopes the community picnic is the first of many. 

“Even if it’s twice a year, and make it bigger and bigger and bigger — I think that it would definitely make an impact,” she said.  

Some of the attendees at the event said it’s just the beginning and they’re already planning more events for the future. 

The shooting of Raynor has prompted action throughout Daytona Beach. From fundraisers for his recovery to events meant to heal the community, calls to action continue after he was injured in the line of duty.

“When officer Raynor was hurt, I feel like we all hurt, so having that feeling just motivated us to say to say 'hey let’s do something about it,'” Williams said.

Williams and Tomblin said they felt compelled to create something positive out of grief.

“Let’s deal with race and class and how some people are treated as opposed to others, but let’s take this opportunity and come together and have very honest conversations and we also want to mix in a little fun,” Williams said.

Elsewhere in the area, fundraisers are also being held this weekend to support Raynor’s recovery.

A lemonade stand last Saturday raised nearly $6,000 for his family, and organizers are planning another one this weekend.

The Daytona Tortugas are raising money at their home games through the weekend.

Cheryn Stone of Spectrum News 13 contributed to this report.