Dear Source:
We would like to thank those persons who contributed to making a success out of the V.I. Fathers March on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 and the Back to School Days of Prayer on Saturday and Sunday August 31 and September 1. Also, we want to take the time to thank those who contributed to making a success out of the Back to School Barbeque Fun Day at Emile Griffith Park on Saturday, August 24, 2013.
We want to thank Governor John P. deJongh for issuing the proclamation for V.I. Fathers March and Back to School Days of Prayer and urging residents of the Virgin Islands to participate in these events. We would like to thank St. Thomas-St. John Superintendent of Schools Jeannette Smith Barry and the V.I. Department of Education for their support, and by providing further support by making Sharon Richardson of Parent University available to help us in planning the events. We thank the Superintendent for her continued interest in the events. Also, we wish to thank Chief of Police Darren Foy and the Virgin Islands Police Department for their continued support for the V.I. Fathers March and for assisting us at the Fun Day by addressing the fathers and providing support and protection.
We also thank our co-sponsors in the events, the V.I. Department of Human Services and My Brother’s Workshop. Pastor Lennox Zamore contributed substantially and Mr. Alston “Magic” Creque planned the Fun Day for the fathers. Also, Scott Bradley from My Brother’s Workshop rendered his usual nonstop assistance by helping us in all aspects of the events. Also, we thank DeShawn Williams, Parent Involvement Coordinator for Headstart, for assisting us in getting out the word to the fathers in Head Start.
We also want to thank all of the members of the Committee who assisted us in so many ways with the planning for the V.I. Fathers March, arranging it, getting supplies for the Barbeque and Fun Day, and actually going to the schools on the first day to sign up the fathers. Thank you to Attorney Archie Jennings, Mitchell Neaves, Director of Major Giving for the University of the Virgin Islands and to Dolores Todmann. Also, thank you to Khallid Mills, Hector Lima, Shirley Sadler, Irene Williams, Lisa Williams, Judy and Olando Donadelle, Roland John, Corinne King Hodge, Linda Terrel, and Madelyn Lake-Thomas; and to Jamaal Carroll and Adam Simmons for the social media; and to Trevis Baker & Tim McKague for the Website. On the day of the Barbeque Fun Day, our Masters of Ceremonies Bruce “First Friday” Flamon and Terrence “Terry T.” Thomas contributed to making the event a success, as well as the D.J. services of Julian Jackson, Jr. And, of course, Pastor Levi Farrel and Julian “the Hawk” Jackson assisted us by praying for the fathers, and we thank them both for their prayers. We cannot forget Josiah James’ pictures that captured in stunning color the day of the Fun Day, and Simeon Thompson for the PSA for the media. Nor can we forget the contribution of Everett and Karen who helped us distribute flyers to the motorists.
The Fun Day opened with a bang with a Motorcade with Grapo and Bugs and the Love City Bikers from St. John. After the opening, we were treated to a karate demonstration by Louis Jackson, Grand Master of the Ja Goju Jitso-Ryu Federation. Then, Julian “the Hawk” Jackson and the 340 Boxers, treated the fathers and their children to a boxing demonstration. During the event, the exhibitors, Bank of Nova Scotia, Parent University, Vitamin World, and Family Resource provided valuable information. Gideon Garfield provided a bouncer and Rose Maduro provided face painting for the children, while Sinclair Wilkinson provided a chess tutorial.
We want to thank some of our contributors. They include Jubilee Ministries, Deliverance Ministries and Kingdom Prayer and Power Ministries. Also, West Indies Corporation, Cost U Less, Bellow’s International, Merchant’s Market, Bread & Cakes Bakery and Chef Romeo all made contributions of water, beverages, pastries and other items, and Glenn Nelthropp contributed his talents as a chef. We thank everyone who contributed a gift or door prize, especially, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Sterling Optical, Varlack auto Rental, V.I. Dental Center, Candi’s Barber Shop, C.G.’s Barber Shop, Natural Food Grocery, Nora’s Beauty Palace, Gomez Barber Shop, Coral World, Butterfly Gardens and the St. Thomas Restaurant Group, Frenchtown Deli, Aqua Action and Pizza Amore. Thanks to Neville Champy Amy and also to the staff of Emile Griffith Ball Park and Derek Heyliger for being present to supervise the father/children games.
We want to thank the pastors and prayer leaders of the churches in the Virgin Islands who prayed for the returning students, parents, teachers and faculty to keep them safe during the school year. Also, we want to thank the principals and administrators in the schools who assisted with the V.I. Fathers March by helping us on the first day of school.
Finally, and most importantly, we want to thank the fathers and male caregivers for participating in the V.I. Fathers March by taking their children to school beginning on the first day and pledging to be with their children throughout the school year. You have taken the first step to a stronger family and a better Virgin Islands. We all pray for a successful and fun-filled school year for all.Sincerely,
James S. Carroll III
Jason Carroll Memorial Fund, Inc./Mothers Against Guns Inc.
