CLB01152021 - Page 16

Friends of HOW bring holiday cheer to homeless By Nelson A. King Though it was formed just over a year ago, a Brooklyn-based group known as Friends of HOW has been bring much holiday cheer to the less fortunate in the community. According to Dr. Roxie Morris, the group’s Vincentian-born lead coordinator and founding member, Friends of HOW — Homeless, Orphans and Widows — distributed food, toiletries, toys and coats to the needy on Christmas Day. “Christmas is about giving to others simply because God gave His best, His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world,” said Dr. Morris, a Born- Again Christian, who serves as Youth Minister at the Miracle Temple Ministries, an evangelical church in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, whose congregants are primarily Jamaican and Vincentian. “Following His example, we ministered to three shelters, special thanks to our exceptional caterers, Courtney and Glory Kirkland, Immanuel and Paula Aris,” added Dr. Irish, who with her husband, Stanley “Luxie” Morris, a St. Vincent and the Grenadines sports ambassador, toyed with the notion of forming the group soon after their marriage on April 6, 2019. Dr. Irish, who is also founder and president of the United Vincie Caribbean L 16 ife, January 15-21, 2021 Cultural Group of Brooklyn, said she and her team, on Christmas Day, distributed, at the unidentified shelters, “a finger-licking spread” of rice and peas; Spanish and spinach rice; mac and cheese; meat loaf; curried, baked and jerked chicken; ham; turkey; Rasta pasta; and yams. “Those many pans of hot food were packed in take-out food containers; the many, many toys, donated by such generous individuals, were wrapped, labeled and packaged; the toiletries – toothbrushes and toothpastes – were placed in the decorated basket, ready for distribution; and we were excited to get on our way,” Dr. Morris told Caribbean Life. “Arriving at the first shelter, the residents were all lined up and waiting expectantly,” she added. “The volunteers all got to work; and, with much love joy and unity, distributed food, toiletries, toys and coats to the needy.” Simultaneously, Dr. Morris said her husband and fellow Friends of HOW volunteers with gifts for distribution to homeless shelters. Kimberle Thompson volunteer Ralphie Cunningham, also a Vincentian congregant at Miracle Temple Ministries, distributed food and clothing to residents at a men’s shelter. Makeda Haywood, 10, a fifth grader at New Ameritech Academy, PS 770, in Brooklyn and the youngest volunteer on the team, accompanied her mom, Sherill- Ann Mason-Haywood, chairperson of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diaspora Committee of New York, Inc., and her aunt, Sharon Mason, along with Mason-Haywood’s Vincentian friends. “We gave out food (lots of it), lots of toys, snacks, juices, water, cake and also toothbrushes and toothpaste,” the young volunteer said. “I was responsible for snacks. “It made me feel good and sad, at the same time, to see so many people, especially the little kids,” she added. “But seeing that we were able to help those who are in need, and don’t have much, made me feel joyful on the inside. “I will do the same thing next year, but will start much earlier, so that I can have more toys than I got,” Makeda continued. “I will even get some of my friends to do a toy drive and, maybe, we can have our own table. That will sure make me feel good. Maybe, I can be in charge again. Preparing meals for distribution to the homeless. Kimberle Thompson For the past 10 years, we have been servicing the community with dignity and compassion. We look forward to the future providing the same excellent service. F U N E R A L H O M E Serving the Community with Dignity �� We have one of the Largest Chapels in the New York City area �� We provide Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services �� We offer great pricing and you can depend on our professionalism �� Valet Parking Available �� TEL: ��