Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 8-11-17

Local
VA Health Services Official Gets Award From Pres. Obama
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
James L. Ferguson is among the last persons who received some type of commen- dation from former President Barack Obama.
Ferguson, Hospital Service Coordinator for the U. S. Dept. of Veterans Health Admin- istration at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hos- pital, received the commendation last week at the VA Hospital. The plaque was awarded to him in January.
The plaque was a “Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement.”
A former police officer with the City of Tampa Police Dept. (retired in 2005), Fergu- son says his volunteer service goes beyond the “call of duty.”
“I volunteer as a driver to pick up those vet- erans who need a ride, counsel veterans’ fam- ilies when needed, and assist them in filing the proper paperwork for benefits.”
He also volunteers with: his fraternity – Omega Psi Phi, families at Metropolitan Min- istries, and he speaks to college groups about getting more than a Bachelor’s degree. He also teaches stress awareness, and travels for the VA.
Ferguson spent a total of 23 years (active and reserve) with the military, retiring as a Major.
The father of 4 adult children, Ferguson earned 2 Master’s degrees from University of South Florida (Business) and the University of Tampa (Public Administration).
James ‘Fergie’ Ferguson holds the plaque he received from President Barack Obama, one of the last commendations signed before leaving of- fice,
One Church One Child Of Florida Hosts Education Training
MRS. LAKAY FAYSON
MR. AND MRS. CECIL MCLEAN ...One Church One Child Business Partner
One Church One Child of Florida recently held an Edu- cation Training at the Simply Good Restaurant in Tampa. Community members at- tended to learn more about adopting, fostering and men- toring children in the foster care system, as well as part- nering and volunteering with One Church One Child of Florida.
The special guest speaker was Mrs. LaKay Fayson, Recruitment Coordinator for One Church One Child’s Sun- Coast Region. Mrs. Fayson spoke about the need of prospective adoptive and fos- ter families and mentors for children in the foster care sys- tem.
The owners of Simply Good Restaurant, Mr. Cecil and Mrs. Tonya McLean, provided a delicious meal.
The restaurant supports the children in the foster care system by serving as a One Church One Child business partner.
One Church One Child of
Florida, is a faith-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organiza- tion.
One Church One Child of Florida partnered with the Department of Children and Families, churches and com- munity-based care lead agen- cies to help find loving forever homes for children through- out the State of Florida. One Church One Child of Florida’s mission is to: “find at least one family in each church to adopt at least one child.”
Rev. Beverly Hills Lane serves as the State Board of Directors President and the Regional Vice-Presi- dent.
For more information re- garding adopting, fostering, mentoring, partnering and volunteering, please contact LaKay Fayson, Recruit- ment Coordinator, at (813) 740-0210 or lakay_fayson@ococfl.org.
One Church One Child of Florida’s website is: www.ococfl.org.
Meeting
Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association And Crime Watch
The Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 15th at 6:30 p. m. at the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center, 3310 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa 33610.
The guest speaker will be Mike Suarez, City Council, District 1, At-Large.
Please come out to address your questions concerning our city to Councilman Suarez.
Light refreshments served.
Thank you to ALL Association members and friends, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Safe and Sound of Hillsborough County, Department of Solid Waste and City agencies for your support and participation with our neighborhood street clean-up on last Saturday. Job well done! We look forward to future collab- orations with you.
F. Tate, President.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-A