Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 10-29-21

Features
Community Activist To Host Annual Candlelight Vigil
Judge To Host Annual Veterans Outreach Project
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, November 6th, Mrs. Vivian Heyward, a member of JHNA, and in part- nership with Rise Up For Peace will host the Annual Candlelight Memorial Service for victims of gun violence. It will take place at Ragan Park Recreation Center, 1200 E. Lake Avenue, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Mrs. Heyward and her late husband, Chris Hey- ward, hosted the first event in 1994. The event has taken place consecutively for more than 20 years. Mrs. Hey- ward did not host it last year because of the COVID-19 Pan- demic.
The theme for the event is,
“In Memory Of Those Who Lost Their Lives To Gun Violence.” Freddy Barton, Executive Director, Safe & Sound Hillsborough, will serve as the Master of Cer- emony and guest speakers will include Ms. Karen Peoples.
Mrs. Heyward said she is encouraging anyone who would like to participate to come out and bring a candle or to use their flashlights on their cell phones.
Barton said, “As we con- tinue to work to stop and pre-
VIVIAN HEYWARD
... Began the Candlelight Vigil more than 20 years ago
vent senseless gun violence, it is just as important to remem- ber those who have been lost because of it.
“There is very little that can compare to the tragic loss of a loved one, especially when it could have been avoided. We must do our best to support one another while working to- gether to eradicate this prob- lem.”
In the years since the Can- dlelight Vigil began, the num- bers of violent deaths has continued to grow. Many of those deaths remains un- solved.
Mrs. Heyward said, “We have a culture that resorts to gun violence to solve their problems and unfortunately, there are innocent people los-
FREDDY BARTON, Executive Director Safe & Sound Hillsborough
ing their lives along the way. Enough is enough.”
By June 30, 2021, 55 resi- dents in Hillsborough County fell victim to violence. Since that time, the numbers con- tinue to rise.
In August, 4-year-old Suni Bell died after someone shot into the vehicle she was riding.
On September 30th, three men were injured by gunfire. Two of them died.
On October 15th, a 15-year- old girl was shot in the leg. She died 3 days later as a result of complications.
Mrs. Heyward is inviting the community to come out, wear their tee shirts and join others in remembering their loved ones. The event is free and open to the public.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Friday, November 19th, a Hillsborough County judge will host an event for veterans. The event is designed to pro- vide assistance with minor legal concerns veterans within the 13th Judicial Circuit are fac- ing.
The event will take place at the Grand Oaks Office Build- ing Hidden River Complex, 8900 Grand Oaks Circle, Tampa, 33637, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Anyone wishing to par- ticipate in the Outreach Program must pre-regis- ter by the mandatory pre- registration deadline no later than Friday, Novem- ber 5, 2021.
For additional infor- mation, contact the Hills- borough County Public Defender’s Office at (813) 277-1384.
Some of the issues that will be addressed include helping homeless and low-income vet- erans by addressing active misdemeanor warrants, fines, legal fees, court costs, and or- dinance violations.
Judge Daryl Manning
held the first “Veterans Out- reach Court” Project in 2016. Judge Manning created the event because Hillsborough County has one of the largest veteran populations in the state. The Veterans Outreach Court is a method of assisting
JUDGE DARYL MANNING
veterans to resolve outstand- ing legal matters.
He considers the outreach project a way to help veterans who are struggling to eliminate some of the minor legal mat- ters that may be blocking their paths to succeed.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Judge Manning earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Carolina. He continued his ed- ucation at St. John’s University School of Law, where he re- ceived his Juris Doctorate. He attended the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center, where he received his LL.M. degree.
Judge Manning was ap- pointed to his judgeship in September 2015. He previ- ously served as Judge Advo- cate for the U. S. Army and Assistant Attorney General in the Tampa Attorney General’s Office.
FYI
Free Dental Care For Military Veterans On Saturday, November 6
In recognition of Veterans Day, Aspen Dental locations na- tionwide will open their doors to provide free care to military veterans across the country. Now in its 7th year, the Day of Service provides much-needed dental care for veterans at no cost to honor their service and break down barriers to health care.
There are 31 participating Aspen Dental offices in the Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL market. Appointments are required. Call 844-277-3646 to schedule for November 6, 2021, 8 a. m. – 1 p. m.
Visit www.HealthyMouthMovement.com to learn more.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021