Sunday, August 29, 2010
Central Square event offers spiritual component
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
Ten-year-old Christian Jackson of New Castle, Pa., came to Saturday’s backpack giveaway for free school supplies but got more than pens and paper: Christian met his uncle, Dave Quigley, for the first time.
The two-hour event in Central Square, sponsored by the Jericho Project and the City Prayer Team of Youngstown, was like a small family reunion for Christian, his 18-year-old sister, Samantha, and their mother, Leslie Jackson.
“I wanted to meet my uncle and see what [event coordinators] do and if this is something we could do in New Castle,” said Samantha Jackson, a youth leader at Jubilee Ministries International in New Castle, who also works with children with special needs.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Quigley, of Youngstown, said after meeting his niece and nephew, adding that the occasion also was the first time in 20 years he saw Leslie Jackson, his sister.
Quigley, who helps with the Jericho Project and Lost Then Found Ministries of Struthers, also was a volunteer who gave away the backpacks on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Jackson family was one of close to 300 families who attended the outdoor offering at which hundreds of backpacks containing notebooks, rulers, pens, protractors and other school supplies were distributed.
Also leaving more primed for school was 4-year-old Amiyah Clinkscale of Youngstown, who came with her great-grandmother, Sandy Davis of Youngstown.
Taking home free school supplies and dancing to the music were two of Amiyah’s favorite parts of the event, she said.
For Davis, the gathering had a powerful spiritual component.
“It’s about more than coming down for a book bag, hot dog or drink. I feel the spirit,” she added.
For about eight years, the Jericho Project has hosted the giveaway to reach out to area youths, noted its founder, the Rev. Rafael Cruz, pastor of Unity Baptist Church in Boardman.
“We want to let children know every one of [them] is valuable and show God’s love for them,” he added.
Also helping was the City Prayer Team, whose members pray one Saturday each month for the city and its residents, noted Linda Daniels, head of the 6-year-old group.
Singing plenty of gospel music was Rachell Joy, who’s with Lost Then Found Ministries and works part time at Youngstown State University.
The giveaway also featured clowns, face-painting and crafts for youngsters and resources for pregnant women.