RECAP OF THE 2016 DAY OF SERVICE IN DC
As I look back on the first Day of Service project in Washington, DC, in October 2013, I saw how we planted a seed and it began to develop. At the second Day of Service in October 2014, we watched as the spiritual growth of the project started to mature. Then at the third Day of Service in October 2015, we had matured and everything went as planned. This year's project, the fourth Day of Service, was held on October 20, at the same location we have used for all four years: the Fourth District Police Department, in northwest Washington, DC. This day was somehow special. There was a sweet, sweet spirit that filled the Community Room that day.
I was honored to be the emcee of the program this year. We began in prayer with Pastor John Davis, 95 years old and one of WFWP’s very own Ambassadors of Peace who still pastors at Mt. Zion Baptist Church located in northwest DC. Pastor Davis was one of many Christian & Faith Leaders who surrounded and supported WFWP Founder, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon when he was unjustly imprisoned.
Next up, Angelika Selle, WFWP USA President, gave a rousing Welcome Address to the community. She was followed by Ms. Dottie Chicquelo, who introduced the Committee Heads for this Year’s Day of Service: Rev, Juanita Pierre-Louis, WFWP Vice President from New York, and Ms. Elizabeth Aihe, WFWP, DC Chapter Chairwoman. Rev. Juanita Introduced the Mission Statement, Purpose & Education component followed by Elizabeth who recited a poem by Dr. Martin Luther King.
I then gave the youth their cleaning instructions, assisted by New Hope Academy teacher, Ms. Beverly Berndt who has brought her students from Maryland every year. They all left to begin cleaning their areas on Georgia Avenue, cleaning windows and doors of community centers and especially the restaurants and businesses that had donated food to us for the event, along with their teachers, parents, and friends.
As they returned, they were handed wonderful gift bags that Mr. & Mrs. Connery offered to everyone that was there, whether student, teacher, parent, police officer, speaker. Everyone was so very happy and more than ready to eat lunch.
During lunch, Lieutenant Rosental from 4th District Police Department did an outstanding job speaking to the youth. Mr. Derek Stanten, Community Activity Coordinator, spoke to the youth and invited them to the 4th District's Safe Halloween Party.
Everything was done in Divine Order, we thanked everyone especially Pauline Eby, newly appointed Chairwoman of the Maryland Chapter, who took care of the registration table, did some cleaning outside, helped to serve food, and even loaded her car with the brooms and things to take back to my home. She was a great help!
I thank everyone who put their hands to the task, to make the 2016 Day of Service, the best ever. Rev. Rev. Joe Taylor drove us to pick up the Proclamations, and the T-shirts as well as carried the tools up my stairs. Thanks to Department of Public Works for delivering and picking up the tools from my apartment. And a special thank you to Bob Selle for always driving WFWP President Angelika and for your constant presence and participation. Finally, the Camera Crew, without whom we could not have done it and looked so good.
