Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 4-18-17

Features
Volunteer Chosen As Regional ‘Eagle Scout Of The Year’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Several years ago, a Tampa teenager was given the responsibility of creating a major project in his quest to become an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 142. He decided to obtain AED (Auto- mated External Defibrillators) for his school.
N’Jhari Jackson earned 122 of 136 badges in order to become an Eagle Scout in less than two years. He was awarded that honor in October 2015. Recently, N’Jhari was chosen as the “Eagle Scout of the Year” for 2016-2017 by the Department of Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. He will receive his award on May 6, 2017.
It will be presented by the District 12 meeting at the VFW Post 6287, in Ruskin, at noon. N’Jhari will then compete for the National Title in June. If he wins, he will be invited to Nationals Conference in New Orleans this July.
N’Jhari was also chosen for 30under30 Volunteer Florida, his mother, Ms. LaShina Lewis said.
N’JHARI JACKSON ... Regional ‘Eagle Scout of the Year’
The young man, who is a 10th grade student at The Paideia School, was recently chosen as the “Volun- teer of the Day for April 6, 2017.” He was recognized for his Njs-Love-To-The-Rescue organi- zation. He works to reduce Sudden Cardiac Arrest in student athletes and youth through his organization.
Njs-Love-To-The-Rescue came about after he decided to provide the AED for his school. However, after
raising the money to purchase the unit for his school, N’Jhari decided to visit other schools. He learned that while the equipment was required on campus, no one was trained to use the equipment. So, his next project was raising funds to provide the training.
Since the inception of the pro- gram, N’Jhari has helped to certify 54 adults in CPR, First-Aid, and AED use.
Retired Surgeon Arthur Larson, of the James A. Haley VA Hospital said, “N’Jhari’s completion of an impressive personal project serves as a spring board for his continued ef- forts to save young hearts and will have a lasting impact on his commu- nity and school for years to come.”
N’Jhari said, “Njs-Love-To- The-Rescue is about helping thy neighbor and ensuring every youth has a fighting chance on the field, pool, court, or track.”
He is currently raising funds to donate 20 AED machines to athletic programs in his community. He also advocates for more heart screenings for young athletes, in partnership with the Saving Young Hearts Foun- dation and Parent Heart Watch or-
ganizations.
N’Jhari continues to provide
stuffed animals to hospitalized chil- dren through his Pajama Buddy Voy- age Foundation. This was his first initiative to improve the lives of oth- ers that he began at the age of 6.
And his other accomplishments during 2016 include: being chosen as one of two Florida students chosen as recipients of the “Prudential Spirit of Community” Award in Febru- ary; being chosen as one of four stu- dents to participate in the Arlington Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony in May; being selected as the recipient of a 4-year scholarship during His- panic History Month in October 2016; being chosen as a Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation in November.
N’Jhari also won the scholarship as a middle school student for an essay he submitted in the statewide contest.
N’Jhari also finds time to take classes on line because he plans to graduate early, and he was accepted for trials for the Junior Olympic Swimming Team. He is also active as a member of Men of Vision as well.
Woodland Terrace Neighborhood Watch Grid To Celebrate 22nd Anniversary
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
When Neighborhood Watch groups were slowly becoming a part of the community, residents in Wood- land Terrace, a neighborhood or resi- dents south of 34th Street and Hanna Ave., came together and decided they wanted to be watch dogs for each other.
With the help of City officials, the Woodland Terrace Neighborhood Watch Grid 055 was founded, again.
According to Mrs. Ruth J. Fleming, President, there had previ- ously been a Neighborhood Watch group in that community, but it had fizzled out due to lack of participa- tion.
“I restarted it after we (husband, Levi) moved here because I just felt the need to do that,” she said.
On Sunday, April 22, 2017 at 5 p. m., the Neighborhood Watch Grid will observe its 22nd anniversary with a program. The event will be held at College Hill Church of God in Christ, 6414 N., 30th Supt. Charles Davis, Pastor. The anniversary theme is "Make A Joyful Noise Unto The
MRS. RUTH J. FLEMING ...President
Lord."
“In the past we’ve held our an-
niversary programs at Ragan Park, but this time we felt the need to keep it in the community,” Mrs. Fleming
said.
She added that there will be gospel
singing, spiritual dancing, various groups and choirs, solos, praise teams, and more, including the youth group from the Woodland Terrace Park/Gwen Miller Center (Neighbor- hood Watch Achievers).
The anniversary program is the only fundraiser that the organization holds. And, members commit to do- nating a certain amount. This past school term, the group presented a $1,500 scholarship to a student from the neighborhood who is attending the University of Miami.
More Than A Neighborhood Watch Group
In addition to watching the neigh- borhood, the Woodland Terrace Neighborhood Watch Grid 055, does so much more.
“We have a Book Bag Bonanza in August with Chuck Wagon Hot Dogs and a professional line dancer to teach the kids how to line dance. It’s a fun event.
“For Thanksgiving, we give 6 food boxes with real food, not canned
goods – everything needed for a Thanksgiving meal,” Mrs. Fleming said.
The group takes its Christmas party to Rogers Park Golf Course – in the neighborhood. A week prior to the party, there’s a Prayer Breakfast. “We make sure we put Christ first,” she said. And, all monthly meetings (4th Thursday of each month) start with a devotional service. A representative from the Tampa Police Dept. is pres- ent at the meetings.
The group, which is incorporated, also has a Black History Month Pro- gram and participates in the National Night Out. We also care for our sick and shut-ins and those who have a death in the family.
In addition to Mrs. Fleming, among those who serve with her are: Dr. Aaron Smith, Vice President; Rev. Matthew James, Neighbor- hood Watch Pastor; Mother Rosanna McCullough, Neighbor- hood Watch Mother; and Mrs. Marie Mosley, Coordinator of all programs.
For more information on the pro- gram, call (813) 238-6667. Refresh- ments will follow.
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