Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 11-13-15 Edition

Local
29th Annual Community, Children, And Family Day Planned
HABSE Seeks To
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Nearly 30 years ago, a minister held a community dinner to benefit one child. Now, as he prepares for the 29th year of doing so, he re- flects on what keeps him going.
Pastor Moses Brown
encountered a young man during days before the Thanksgiving holiday. The young man commented that his family wouldn’t have a thanksgiving meal. Pastor Brown rallied a group of people and together, they provided the first Commu- nity, Children And Family Day.
This year, the first Com-
p.m., at 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., in Plant City. Minister Thur- mond Wortham will pro- vide the music.
The registration to re- ceive a free turkey and give- aways for that event is closed.
“The list filled up quickly and we reached our capacity. But this is still a celebration. We want everyone to come out and enjoy a sit down din- ner and fellowship. There will be plenty of food,” he said.
The second event will take place at Williams Park, 4362 E. Osborne Avenue, at 3 p.m., on Thursday, Novem- ber 19th.
Vision of Harmony will provide the entertainment and Attorney Paul Re- bein will be on hand with bicycles and toys for the kids. “Parents can save the toys for Christmas or give them to the kids then.
“I am keeping my promise to that young man so many years ago. Through the years a metamorphosis has taken place, but hard times and poverty won’t go away. Now, people are facing different challenges. Tampa still has a lot of poverty.”
Pastor Brown said keeping his promise to that young man so many years ago has not always been easy.
“When my son, (David Moses Brown), died in 2007attheageof21,Ial- most stopped. That really took something out of me, it was a paradigm shift. Until certain things happen in our lives, we can’t fathom the full scope. (His son was away at school when the death occurred).
“But, I kept going because I was doing something for others. There were many times I didn’t think I would make it through the years. I attribute it to God. He comes through when I can’t make it. And, every time, God shows up and shows out.”
Pastor Brown is invit- ing the community to come out and enjoy themselves. He is also inviting anyone who wants to make a dona- tion to do so. “Our arms are open to help a family. Bring toys, food, anything that will help,” he said.
Anyone wishing to regis- ter for the turkeys can regis- ter on line at www.feedourchildren.org. Those who register will re- ceive a ticket to be printed and brought to the event on Thursday.
Difference In Education
PASTOR MOSES BROWN
... Founder of Feed Our Children Ministries, Inc.
munity, Children, and Fam- ily Day will take place on Tuesday, November 17th, 3
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
More than 40 years ago, a group of educators held a meeting to share concerns, develop a resource pool, and form an organization of Black School Superinten- dents. The organization came into existence as the Metropolitan Applied Re- search Center.
Three years later, the or- ganization extended mem- bership opportunities to others and it became the National Alliance of Black School Educators Commis- sion. The national body grew creating chapters throughout the country. Today, there are chapters in every state, with eight in Florida.
In September 1993, 35 educators united and founded the Hillsborough Alliance of Black School Ed- ucators, a local affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. Ms. Mary Dance currently serves as its president.
Serving as the leader of the organization, Ms. Dance is actively seeking to increase membership, cre- ate an endowment, and con- tinue to serve as a support organization for educators.
Ms. Dance said, “We are actually partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to help make students aware of missed opportunities. Each year, we give book stipends to gradu- ating students, and we serve as a support organization for educators.
“We identify their chal-
MS. MARY DANCE President HABSE
lenges of being teachers and act as a liaison between the educators and the school board so that we can let the district know what the edu- cators think.”
Some of the upcoming activities HABSE has planned include Educa- tional Chats to discuss con- cerns of the educators and support them, a holiday net- working social next month, and a Black History Brain Bowl in March.
Next year, Tampa will host the 2016 National Con- ference.
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Ms. Dance has been a resident of Tampa for the past 16 years. She cur- rently serves as a Student Success Coach for Hillsbo- rough County.
Anyone wishing to be- come a member of the or- ganization can contact Ms. Dance at (813) 586-0005, or by email at HABSE.educ@gmail.com.
Continue Making A
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015