Thirteen-year old Anaya Willabus, co-founder of Stalwarts Youth non-profit of Brooklyn, an award-winning author, on Saturday, Oct. 3, presented Certificates of Appreciation to volunteers during a dinner reception at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, on Utica Avenue, in Brooklyn.
They are Curtis Edwards, Raymond Inderjeet, Sara Edwards, Pascal Balasie, Sarrah Jeen Exilas, Amar Dyal, Salima Edwards, Yanina Shavialenka, Tariq Saifurrehman, and Svitlana Shavialenka.
The organization also presented plaques to Caribbean Life reporter, Tangerine Clarke, for her journalistic endeavors, and Andrew Douglas CEO, of AMD Transportation, who continues to haul hundreds of donated boxes of food from Washington to be distributed to those in need.
Volunteers, over the past four years, have played a huge part in the development of Stalwarts Youth, and in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, have distributing needed supplies to residents in Brooklyn and Queens communities.
Anaya, who wrote her first children’s book at 8 years old, making history as the youngest author in New York, said the organization that was founded, in 2016, with her mother Dimple Willabus to empower her peers in literacy programs, grew, due to the needs of the community.
She said multiple backpack distributions; as well facemasks, and food hamper initiatives, have been rewarding, and impactful.
“I saw how great the need was during registration,” said the inspiring young lady, highlighting the important part, volunteers play in service to the community.
Dimple Willabus, a community activist, who has the support of her family, older daughter Chantelle Grant, who kept the audience entertained as Emcee, husband, Winston, who gave the vote-of-thanks, and tech-savvy son Brandon, are all making a difference towards the success of the framework.
“This year has been very challenging for most of us and we were happy to be in a position to donate fresh groceries, masks, adult diapers, backpacks and more to members of our community and beyond,” said Dimple, co-founder and chair, of the non-profit.
The evening of appreciation that was blessed by Pastor Ellsworth Chester of Victory Assembly, Brooklyn, provided entertainment, and lots of giveaways.
The Stalwarts Youth has been established to empower youth to always Dream Big, knowing there is a pathway to achieve their goals, though a commitment to intellectual growth and cultural development.
To make a donation, or learn more, go to https://www.stalwartsyouth.com, and connect on Instagram@stalwarsyouth, and www.facebook.com/Stalwartsyouth.
