Joseph Mosley leads the Community Choir in the musical selection “When Shall I Be” at the 33rd Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. interfaith community commemoration at the Port Chester Middle School on Sunday, Jan. 13.
Eagle Scout Justin McFadden (foreground); Life Scout and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Gavin LaDore and other members of Port Chester Boy Scout Troop 400 lead those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rev. Michael Kurth from Christ Church in Rye, a Port Chester resident, acts as emcee.
Rev. Patrice Kemp, Sr. from St. Frances AME Zion Church in Port Chester gives the keynote address. He said Martin Luther King Day hasn’t reached the commercialism of other national holidays and is truly about service.
Rev. Gerald Washington from Bethesda Baptist Church in Port Chester presents a Humanitarian Award to Port Chester Middle School Principal Patrick Swift for the humanitarian way in which he dealt with the sudden death of Assistant Principal Byron Womack in February 2018.
Port Chester resident Thomas Kissner accepts a Humanitarian Award from Rev. Daniel Hickman, pastor of Community Baptist Church in New Canaan, for his service to his country and community throughout his lifetime including being the first Caucasian to serve as president of the Port Chester-Rye NAACP.
Freda Wesley speaks after accepting a Humanitarian Award on behalf of her husband Albert, a student advocate who died Nov. 26, 2018. The Port Chester High School Marching Band drumline performs behind her. The band was a passion of Wesley’s and he served as president of the PCHS Band Association when his son and daughter were in the musical group.
As seen between the heads and shoulders of Port Chester Trustees Dan Brakewood and Luis Marino, the Port Chester Middle School 7th Grade Chorus leads the audience in singing “We Shall Overcome” with a variety of soloists.
Port Chester Middle School sixth grader Merari Ramirez passes a collection box among the crowd of attendees. The proceeds will go to Food 2 Grow On, which collects, packs and delivers food for needy Port Chester elementary schoolchildren to give their families a boost on weekends and during vacations.
Joseph Mosley directs the Community Choir.
Food 2 Grow On volunteer Maureen Kaplan of Port Chester talks about the good work of the organization for which funds raised during the night’s offering will go.
Port Chester Mayor Richard “Fritz” Falanka, accompanied by Trustees Luis Marino, Greg Adams and Dan Brakewood, presents a proclamation in honor of the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration and its Humanitarian Award winners.
Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman and Councilwoman Lyndsay Jackson present proclamations for the Humanitarian Award honorees.
State Senator Shelley Mayer speaks to those gathered, with County Legislator Nancy Barr and Assemblyman Steve Otis waiting their turn.
