Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 12-5-17

Features
Program For Veterans To Bear Names Of Recently Deceased Veteran And Former Businesswoman
JAMES COLE
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The Grand Opening and Dedication Cere- mony will be honor 2 of Tampa’s community activists.
A non-profit veterans program will have its grand opening and dedication on Monday, December 11, 2017, to celebrate the com- pletion of its newest Pro- gram for Veterans.
The dedication and grand opening, planned from 9 a. m. to 12 p. m., will be held at 4011 N. 39th St., Tampa (33610).
The event will honor James Cole, who passed about 2 months ago, and longtime businesswoman and community activist, the late Mrs. Betty P. Wig- gins.
Volunteers of America of Florida is celebrating the completion of its newest program by hosting the Grand Opening and Dedica- tion. Volunteers of America is a 501 c 3 non-profit, faith- based organization dedi- cated to creating positive change in the lives of Florid- ians in need.
The Tampa Veterans Program will be dedicated and named James Cole Vil- lage. It will provide house and supportive services to veterans and their families.
The Community Center will be dedicated and named the Betty P. Wiggins Community Center. The center will served residents in the surrounding area with numerous classes and a clean and safe space for the community to gather.
BETTY P. WIGGINS
According to a press re- lease by Volunteers of America of Florida, Cole not only served in the mili- tary, but helped several vet- erans in various ways throughout the Tampa com- munity.
Cole and his brother, Anthony, integrated Jack- son Heights Park in the early 1960s. He was also one of the first African Ameri- cans to be hired by the Tampa Fire Dept. when he completed his military du- ties. A barber, he was also among the first Blacks to at- tend Tampa Barber College.
“I am so happy that the organization was thoughtful of my son and would decide to do that to honor him,” Cole’s father, Robert Cole, Sr., said. “He put in a whole lot for his country and his community. Like all of my family, we just things when and where we see a need. We’re not looking for recognition.”
Mrs. Betty P. Wiggins
received several awards on the city, state, and national levels for her civic involve- ments. She spent 1 year as a Tampa City Councilwoman. She was also responsible for then Governor Jeb Bush designating a portion of the East Tampa business dis- trict as a State of Florida “Front Porch Community,” which brought several thou- sands of dollars to the com- munity.
Having been an educa- tor, Mrs. Wiggins was also a businesswoman. She owned a printing company.
The families of both hon- orees are expected to be in attendance next Monday.
After The Death Of Her PawPaw, Youngster Felt Need To Write Book
SAVANNAH LYNN WILLIAMS
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Savannah Lynn Williams was 9 years old when her PawPaw died 4 days after her birthday.
A 10-year-old girl has written a 38-page book that aims to appeal to anyone who has lost a loved one.
The book, ‘Rainbow Tears of Joy: Re- member the Good Times When We Lose the Ones We Love,’ is now available.
Savannah Lynn Williams was 9 years old when she her grandfather, Dedrick ‘Dee’ Bowden, whom she referred to as PawPaw, died suddenly. He passed 4 days after her 9th birthday, which was on August 19, 2016. A retiree of Maxwell Air Force Base, PawPaw was there to help her celebrate.
However, being devastated by his death, she began jotting down her feelings about the loss and how she could help others. By Christmas 2016, she had completed the book and it was shared with family members when they came to Tampa for the holidays.
“She was very sad and cried a lot. She wanted to find a way to feel better and mem- ories made her smile. She wants to help oth- ers who are going through the same situation by sharing how memories make a difference,” grandmother, Marjorie Bowden, said.
Because the contents of the book were so
well received by family, Mrs. Bowden asked Savannah’s Tampa cousin, an artist, to be the book’s illustrator. Ibraheem As- Salafee is the illustrator of the book, which was published on November 6, 2017. The 38- page book appeals to all ages.
Mrs. Bowden says: “Savannah is in enrichment classes. She loves the excitement of the gifted and talented program. She’s been a writer for her intermediate school’s newspaper, a choir member, dance team member and now a pep squad member in middle school. She’s been a cheerleader and loves to play volleyball. She is active in church as the Sunday School secretary, and choir and praise dance ministry member. She wants to be a teacher and help people feel loved and cared for.”
Savannah’s Tampa ties extend to Progress Village where here great grandpar- ents reside. She is the daughter of Randal F. Williams, II and Angelita N. Zapata. Her grandparents are the late Dedrick ‘Dee’ Bowden and Marjorie Lynn Bow- den and Randal and Mary Williams. Her great-parents are Charles and Odessa Roberts and the late Fannie Joyce and Eli Rodgers and Ralph ‘Bubba Dee’ Williams.
Savannah’s book can be found on the Barnes and Noble website as well as www.au- thorhouse.com and www.amazon.com; her website is at www.authorsavannahlyn- nwilliams.strikingly.com for more informa- tion and like her Facebook page, Author Savannah Lynn Williams.
FYI
Lightning Players To Visit Seminole Heights
Members of the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team will visit Seminole Heights Monday. Team members are asking fans to bring a new, unwrapped toy.
The autograph sessions will take place at three locations. The players will be at the locations from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Steven Stamkos will be located at the Brew Bus Brewing, 4101 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, 33603.
Victor Hedman will be located at Fodder & Shine, 5910 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, 33604.
J. T. Brown, along with Chief Brian Dugan, will be located at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, 5119 N. Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, 33603.
Members of the Tampa Police Department will also be on hand at the locations to greet and welcome fans and help with the toy donation collections.
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