MLK Potluck Reminder – “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one."

First Lady Michelle Obama asked us to spend this Saturday in service to others. I firmly believe that we should spend every day giving of ourselves to others. Author Jeff Warner once said, “we are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.”

Tomorrow, Saturday, January 19 is an opportunity for you to join with the New Democrats at the Annual MLK Potluck Party and Canned Food Drive, hosted by Amelia and me at our home, 535 West 8th Street at 7:00 pm. It’s an opportunity for you to donate canned goods and other non perishables to one of our local food banks. It’s also an opportunity for you to socialize with friends and to meet some new people. Bring a dish to share.

Your donations maybe dropped off today at my door or you may bring them to the party. We look forward to a day of service and a day of giving. Amelia and I welcome you to our home. We make one simple request, in the words of Mother Teresa, “If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

Adrian and Amelia

New Democrats Annual MLK Potluck Dinner and Canned Food Drive

Once again, Amelia and I will play host to the New Democrats Annual MLK Potluck Dinner and Canned Food Drive, at our home, 535 West 8th Street in Plainfield on Saturday January 19, 2013. This is an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King with friends, family and neighbors, while at the same time making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate among us. We encourage you to drop off your donations of canned goods and other non-perishable food items on our front porch for the entire week leading up to the day of the event. All donations will go to support the food bank at Shiloh Baptist Church, one of the most active food banks in the city of Plainfield.

This year we will also be celebrating the second inauguration of President Barack Obama and wishing him well as he leads the country through these very difficult economic times and back to prosperity. Bring a dish to share and some canned goods for a very worthy cause. The party begins at 7:00 pm on Saturday January 19, 2013 at 535 West 8th Street, Plainfield, NJ.

The New Democrats, Amelia, and I look forward to welcoming you and to having a good time with all as we collectively do for others as we would have them do for us.

Drop your canned goods and other non-perishables off on the front porch at 535 West 8th Street, any day, beginning today. Remember, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

God bless!

Adrian

Happy Holidays To All!

On December 22, aided by several friends and community volunteers, Amelia and I co-hosted a holiday toy party for the children of the 4th Ward at the West End Gardens Community Center. After picking out a toy (or two!) of their own choice, each child sat for a photo with “Santa.”   
 
 While listening to cheerful holiday music, breaking bread and eating a delicious meal served by our friends, we were able to distribute over 150 toys to dozens of very happy kids—the smiles on their faces said it all, confirming  the old adage that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

 To all of you who gave donations, toys and time, we give you thanks; we continue to appreciate all that you do to help us make a difference in the lives of others.

 

As the year draws to a close, and we think about our New Year resolutions, let’s resolve to help our neighbors and assist our elderly. 

Let’s work on mentoring our young people (especially our young men), showing them by our own example how to be good citizens. 

Above all, let us be kind and respectful to each other.

May God bless you all in the new year!

Adrian and Amelia

Holiday Party at Elm West

The holiday season is a time of year when family and friends come together to make merry, to have fun and to enjoy the blessings bestowed upon them. It is a very happy and special time of the year for most. Yet it is also a time of sadness for many parents who, along with their children, might not able to enjoy some of the simple joys of the season. This extremely harsh reality compels us to do something.

It is with this in mind and in the spirit of the holiday season that I will be hosting a party for about 50 kids and their parents at the Elm West Residents Association, from 3 – 6 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012. Amelia and I, along with some of our friends, will have toys, gift cards and refreshments for the children and their parents.

We are collecting donations of toys and gift cards from all who would like to help us provide a wonderful holiday for those who are less fortunate. If you would like to participate and show your generosity in this season of giving, you may drop off your donations at our home at 535 West 8th Street. Please call (908) 577-0630 for further information.

Again, the party is scheduled for Saturday, December 22, 2012 from 3 – 6 pm.  We look forward to a fun evening with the parents and their children. Join us!

Warm regards,

Adrian

Giving Thanks

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2)

Dear Friends,

Volunteer crew

At the YMCA

Not too long ago, my wife and I experienced the very harsh financial realities faced by so many Americans today; we were in an extremely difficult financial bind as a result of my being out of work. This reality was exposed to all of Plainfield in a flyer that was placed on car windows and in peoples’ mail boxes last year in an attempt to embarrass me and shame my family. That attempt failed, and we chose to lay bare the challenges that we were facing by letting the world know the truth of our financial condition. I wrote back then, “I am not immune to financial hardships; I am like all of the other people whose financial lives have been turned upside down due to their unemployment status and other special situations.” 

LAC Director Flor Gonzalez

With the Latin American Coalition

As I suspected, I was not alone; there were literally thousands of Plainfielders in my same plight, many of whom called me or dropped me a line to let me know that we were brothers and sisters in distress, caught in a financial tide that threatened to destroy our way of life. Some people came up to me and said “Adrian, I know what you are feeling; I am where you are.”

Roni gives marching orders at the YMCA

That was roughly 18 months ago. Since that time, I have found employment, and my family and I are on the road to recovery. The road still has some ruts and bumps, but as I wrote then, “I know, beyond any doubt, that the Creator will smile on me and I will repay every debt that I owe.”

Cedarbrook Apts with Reather and Bev

My family and I were extremely fortunate during Hurricane Sandy. Although we were without power for several days, we were spared the serious damage that has affected so many of the residents of our city. Especially hard-hit were many of our senior citizens, who had to suffer through the cold and darkness, empty out refrigerators which were filled with spoiled food, and whose only hot meals were those delivered by the Salvation Army. 

At Richmond Towers

Covenant Manor in the 1st Ward

Making a delivery at Tower West

As I was out canvassing parts of the Third Ward and visiting those at our senior citizen buildings across the city, the comments I heard consistently had to do with replacing food and having enough money to enjoy the blessings of Thanksgiving. Amelia and I knew that there was something we could do for those in need—following the lead of other organizations in the city, such as many of our churches and other charities, we purchased turkeys and gathered some volunteers to assist us in distributing them to the senior residences and to other groups and individuals. 

With Kim of "Kym's Kitchen"

I would like to highlight one individual, Kim, in whose yearly "Kym's Kitchen Annual Facebook Thanksgiving Drive" we were happy to be able to participate. Kim collects food donations from all parts of our city, and with her own team, organizes and delivers dozens of Thanksgiving food baskets (with vegetables, gravy, yams, boxed pasta, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn bread mix, cake mix, frosting, beverages, rice, canned milk, butter, eggs, meats, including chicken, turkey, ham, and more) to those who otherwise would go without. She does this for no other reason than that it is the right thing to do. It is hard work, but Kim's humble devotion to the less fortunate exemplifies the Plainfield spirit!

So, friends, the season of giving has just begun, and it is with extreme humility that we offer our small gift; we are thankful that we were able to share what God has blessed us with.

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday.

Adrian and Amelia