The Christian Journal – On Saturday February 28th 2015, Above and Beyond Initiative (ABI) hosted a “Day of Service Project in light of Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month at the James J. Peters Veterans Center, Bronx, NY. This day of service encompassed a skit of reading experts, “I Have a Dream Speech”, Dance performances, singing and an outstanding saxophone performance of “God Bless America”, a tour in from rooms to rooms as they grate the veterans who were incapable of going outside their rooms to enjoy the show.
Community leader; Portia Asare and her fellow childhood best friends Sandra Amoo, Decota Letman and Maryam Mohammed founded ABI in 2014. It is a non profit leadership organization serving African American teenage girls, from the 9th to 12th grade in New York City.
They aim to help young African American girls develop the skills necessary to excel as professional women through rigorous hands-on workshops, programs, activities and discussions.
On this special occasion, members of ABI and the community aimed to build the relation between the youth these service members and also for the young ones to remember the sacrifices they have made and the encouragement it takes. The youth of ABI Tiffani David and co hosted the entire program. They honored these heroes and a special tribute on Buffalo Soldiers with some breathtaking performances, kicking it off with the national anthem powerfully sang by Hanna Wiredu.
ABI strives to produce a new wave of confidence and professional development that will be successfully integrated into society. During this event, ABI presented a small token of their gratitude by giving the James J Peters Center three beautiful pieces of painting to honor the retired service men of our nation. ABI remembered his great deeds and saluted an active veteran, Kenrick Letman who is currently fighting for our freedom by presenting him a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
The program was a success with the organization distributing some care packages and books to the hospital.
The veterans were receptive and genuinely enjoyed the company of the youth. The veterans laughed, smiled and shared heroic stories with the youth. “The mission for this service project was accomplished because they put a smile on their face”.
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