Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 6-7-19

Feature
Eastern Star Plans Fundraiser To Benefit 20 Youngsters
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Unity Chapter #164 Bethle- hem Grand Chapter of Eastern Star (OES), PHA is requesting commu- nity to support its Washington, D. C. Mentoring Initiative. The organiza- tion is asking individuals, commu- nity organizations, and corporate partners to support its fundraising efforts. The trip is planned for the Summer 2019.
The initiative will benefit 20 youngsters by providing financial support on a trip to Washington, D. C. The group of young men will be exposed to a cultural and educa- tional experience.
According to Worthy Matron Ann Jenkins, “We are excited about the opportunity to provide these 20 high school youth the op- portunity to experience the rich and diverse history of Washington, D. C.
“So many times, deserving honor students and student government leaders win scholarships to make possible these opportunities, but there is a real need to embrace and
MS. ANN JENKINS Worthy Matron
encourage a larger, diverse pool of youth to know, learn, and take pride in their heritage and to understand how they are an important part of American History.”
Ms. Jenkins believes by invest- ing in youth today, yields a return on that investment in years to come.
She approached a retired Air
Force Lieutenant, Colonel Terry Nealy, about the trip to Washing- ton and the Mentoring Initiative. Colonel Nealy is a Tampa native and worked at the White House for 3 years while on active duty.
His military experience has al- lowed him to live in several coun- tries around the world. He has travelled to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.
He credits his own high school educational trip to Washington, D. C., as the main inspiration for even- tually applying for the position at the White House.
Ms. Jenkins said, “This Wash- ington, D. C. Mentoring Initiative is as relevant today as it was decades ago for Terry Nealy.”
Colonel Nealy said, “I am a product of Head Start and the USF Upward Bound Program. I was blessed to have Head Start and Up- ward Bound teachers who cared enough to take an active role in preparing so-called underprivileged kids for what I call real life.
“The late Dr. Richard Pride, the inaugural and longtime Director
of Project Upward Bound, found the resources to send me to “A Presi- dential Classroom For Young Amer- icans.” The program was a week-long program that exposes high school students to lectures from elected officials and federal employees. It exposed us to numer- ous educational, guided tours of Washington, D. C., monuments and museums.
“I returned to Tampa with a dif- ferent frame of mind and with a dream to one day return to Wash- ington in some capacity,” he said.
Ms. Jenkins said the organiza- tion hopes to take 20 young men on the trip. However, it will be deter- mined by the amount of sponsor- ships obtained.
The young men targeted for the trip are those who were raised with- out a father in the home. The dona- tions will be used to underwrite the costs of lodging, bus fare, and other needs.
Anyone wishing to help make this trip possible for the young men can contact Ms. Jenkins at (813) 591-7524.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A