From Sadness to Success: Food Drive Brings Hope to Far Rockaway

 Darius L. Vinson 

On October 30^th 2015, Jesse Kalloo of the Thomas A. Edison High School Skills U.S.A. Program saw a flyer for a food drive on his Facebook page. The flyer stated the Darius L. Vinson Foundation was collecting cans of food for families in Far Rockaway, Queens over the holidays. The technology teacher has engaged in food drives and fundraisers in and around his community over the last several years. His program played a vital role in helping his students gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment. There was no doubt in his mind that partnering with the foundation would not only help those in need, it would provide an opportunity for the staff and students to honor a man that the Far Rockaway community considered to be a hero and humanitarian.

Approximately three months ago, Darius Vinson, 26 and a native of Far Rockaway, drowned while visiting the Delaware Water Gap. Darius inspired many people, as an acclaimed boxer who was studying to be a lawyer, and was considered “a beacon of light and hope for many of his peers”. Since middle school, he volunteered in his community and fought for social justice on many levels.  His mother, Denise Greig, and his partner, Raveenga Perera, along with numerous friends and family, launched the foundation in Darius’s name in order to fulfill his objectives: to become a philanthropist and to help create a more equitable society.

On November 5th, 2015, Kalloo informed Perera that the program collected close to 5,000 cans.  Elated over the revelation, she immediately implemented plans to have the food distributed throughout the Far Rockaway community.  Within a matter of months, one of the foundation’s goals had become a reality.  The following week, Kalloo informed Perera that the students collected more cans during the drive.  To date, the Thomas A. Edison CTE High School Skills U.S.A. Program has collected 10,000 cans for impoverished Far Rockaway residents.

“Numerous pantries throughout the Rockaways will receive between 200-300 cans. The remaining cans will go towards a pop-up tabling event on Sunday, November 23rd at 11 a.m. I sincerely thank Mr. Kallo, the students and the Thomas Edison CTE H.S. Skills U.S.A. Program for partnering with the foundation,” said Perera.

"Additionally, the Darius L. Vinson Foundation would like to thank SAPIS Ms. Pallavi, the student government, and staff of P.S 92Q, who collected 500 items, and Mr. Closs and Ms. Rahman of the Child Center Of NY P.S 56Q after school program. They collected a total of 100 items. The contributions from family members and friends of Darius Vinson are greatly appreciated as well.

“Thanks to the efforts of all the aforementioned groups and individuals, families throughout the Rockaways will receive food donations for the holidays, which will be distributed at the municipal parking lot on Beach 21st Street, between Mott and Cornaga Avenue. Many volunteers from the foundation and local schools will assist with handing out bags and smiles. I ask that you please support the Darius L. Vinson Foundation and its mission by visiting our website, dlvfoundation.org.”

Foundation contacts:  Denise.Greig@dlvfoundation.org or Raveenga.Perera@dlvfoundation.org.