If you can't
feed a hundred
feed one.....
Mother Theresa
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I have the liberty
to help the poor,
you have the
liberty too
and together
we can all make a difference
in the world.... Joshua Williams |
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| " I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something, and I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do....... Edward Everett Hale.
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Volume III, Issue 8 October-November 2010
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Dear Friends:
This has been a busy year for myself and the foundation, but I could not have done it without the help of God, My family, friends, volunteers and supporters. There is a lot more work to be done. we will continue to focus on teaching children about philanthropy and getting more youths involved. We are also making plans for the next year and years to come so I may call on you for some help. I hope you will assist us to help those who are in need. Hunger is real and together we can make a difference.
Thank you.
Joshua
Founder & President
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Happy Hour with Joshua's Heart Foundation
We started Happy Hour with Joshua's Heart Foundation in July to help kick start two of our newest initiatives-the Backpack Program, which will provides children from disadvantaged families and communities with a backpack filled with food they can take home over the weekends and the Reading Program, in collaboration with the Hallandale Beach Teen Center, which will work to keep youths in school and off the streets by getting them interested in books.
We hosted the second Happy Hour on September 16 and our supporters did not disappoint, turning up at Dolce at the ICON on Alton Road, Miami Beach, to support the benefit.
Dolce, located inside the ICON Residences overlooking the scenic harbor provided a relaxed, intimate venue for the event. Wine was courtesy of W Wine Boutique.
Highlights of the evening included a serenade from twelve-year-old musical wonder, Gibbor Greene, and the arrival of our very own Joshua Williams. We hope to see you at the next Happy Hour on November 4! 
Click here to see more pictures
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How to Volunteer
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated for lending a hand at a local food bank. At the food bank the volunteers sort and pack items that will be distributed to needy individuals in the community.
For every hour that a volunteer donates, Joshua's Heart will earn 10 pounds of food credit which will be used at a later date for a distribution. Volunteers enable the organization to obtain the vital food needed to Stomp out Hunger! Individuals only need to be sixteen years or older and physically and mentally committed to making a difference.
Volunteer opportunities are readily available Mondays through Fridays or on the second Saturday of each month. So get your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, church or group together and contact us at volunteer@joshuasheart.org for more information. |
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Wish List
We are in need of the Following. Please help us if you can. - Portable Air conditioned unit for our warehouse.
- 2 Commercial Freezers
- 1 Commercial Fridge
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Making a Difference
Many thanks to our donors and volunteers for sharing their time and resources as we make a difference in our community.
Global Youth Service Day in Liberty City
On April 24th, Joshua's Elves (young volunteers) and volunteers came together to distribute food to 150 residents in Liberty City at the Church of God of Prophecy. Commissioner Edmonson distributed certificates of appreciation to Joshua and all the Elves.
"Joshua's motivation and mission are truly inspiring," said Commissioner Edmonson. "At a young age, he is already encouraging his friends and peers to address poverty with compassion. The Miami-Dade community owes heartfelt thanks to Joshua and his friends for their great effort to feed the needy and hungry."
Volunteers lit up the elderly's weekend during our visit to the Miami Jewish Home. Kiki Hamann brought her dogs for the youths to share with the elderly. TJMAXX donated makeup for the ladies and ties for the gentlemen.
Our youth and adult volunteers were more than delighted to speak with
the elderly and keep them company for a few hours.
Kerryann McLean along with the children sang Go Light Your Candle. Colin Wanless delighted the residents with his song and poem. The Fisher Island Day School Children wore 70s outfit while dancing to Funky Town. They Also played instruments for the elderly. All in all this was a wonderful day of entertainment and mingling everyone. We hope to make this a regular trip. Our elderly are sometimes lonely and the children and dogs can be great company.
Our sincerest gratitude to the volunteers who shared their time and talents with the residents of the Miami Jewish home. To see photos during the visit, click here.
Do the Right Thing Award
In June, Joshua presented computers to the top winners of the do the right thing organization. Joshua, his mother Claudia and Michelle D. Thomas, JHF Interim Executive Director, attended this great event where youths were recognized for their efforts in doing the right thing in Miami. For more information on Do the Right Thing click here
Food Distribution at St. Johns Baptist
Joshua's Heart Foundation was anxious to find a distribution location in Overtown and is thrilled to have partnered with St. John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, a historic 104-year old faith based organization in the heart of The Historic Overtown District. Food was distributed to 200 working poor and less fortunate families. 99 Jamz was on hand to distibute 100 backpacks to the children in the community.
Other Sponsors of Joshua's Heart Overtown food distribution included Dade Community Foundation, First Care Home Services, ILS Meals, National Pasteurized Eggs, Teekay Photography, Sodexo Foundation, Whole Foods Market and Circle of One Marketing.
For more photos during the food distribution, click here
Backpack give away at the Hallandale Beach Teen Center
Woman to Woman Breast cancer generously donated 80 backpacks to Joshua's Heart (JHF) to distribute to the teen center. JHF provided additional supplies for the bags. This was a great event, Joshua, Joshua's Heart Elves, Bishop Adams and volunteers were on hand to distribute the bags to the youths in the area. Thanks to Suzan of Circle One Marketing for making this a reality. Thanks to all who supported us.
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With Gratitude
JHF is grateful to so many individuals and organizations for their time and effort to help our cause! We would like to send a special THANK YOU! To all for helping us with our first fundraiser last December.
Monica Pardo did an awesome job in planning this event. click here for pictures
Additionally, we would like to thank each and every person who attended our events and supported our efforts on behalf of JHF.
Special thanks to Suzan Mcdowell of Circle of one Marketing for getting our story on MSNBC, NBC6 and two radio interviews on 97.3 and 105.1. Thank you!!
Meeting with Congress Woman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
In June, Joshua met with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Mike Rogers in Washington. They both took time out of their busy schedules to meet and discuss Joshua's cause and plan. He first met with Congressman Rogers who shared fun stories with Joshua.
Prior to meeting Joshua, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen made a presentation in the House of Representatives to bring awareness about Joshua's work and Joshua's Heart Foundation in South Florida. Unbeknownst to us, the Congresswoman had a flag flown over the Capitol on behalf of Joshua and the Foundation. We were presented with the flag at our first "Happy "Hour" event at the ICON on South Beach in July. This was a pleasant surprise.
She understands the need in South Florida and all over the U.S. and will help us in whatever way she can to inspire youths to make a difference in their communities. We thank her for her efforts.
Click here to see Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's Twitter about meeting Joshua.
Thank you Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Mike Rogers for meeting with us in Washington. We appreciate you taking the time to talk with our Founder.
Meeting Dr. Ben Carson at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore
In June, Joshua was introduced to Dr. Ben Carson, a top neurosurgeon in the world. Dr. Carson is a humble and gifted human being, and we were honored to meet him.
Joshua respects him for his work as a scientist, his philanthropic work in the community, as well as the fact that he loves reading. Dr. Carson had a busy day but made some time to chat with Joshua. We hope to have Dr. Carson visit the Hallandale Beach Teen Center and talk to the youths about the importance of reading and the difference it made in his life.
Last year there was a movie on Dr. Ben Carson called Gifted Hands. He has also written several books.
To learn more about Dr. Ben Carson click here.
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Awards
Our Sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for recognizing Joshua's work in the community.We are thankful for the awareness this brings to our work and hope in time we will recive some assistance to do more outreach to the working poor, to the mother who lost her job or the child who lost his/her parents, or the child who wants to succeed but has no food so s/he can focus.
- Fla. Gov. Crist Names Joshua Williams of Miami Beach as Governor's Point of Light for Black History Month
"Joshua has an innate sense of goodness and passion for helping others in his heart. He is truly making an impact in South Florida," said Governor Crist. "Joshua is proof that, at any age, getting involved in the community and helping others can make a difference." - In 2007, the Sodexo Foundation announced a new program to recognize students who are active in the fight against hunger and poverty in the United States. Now in the fourth year, five students have been recognized as STOP Hunger Scholars for demonstrating an exemplary spirit of service read more....
- The Caring Institute's mission is to promote the values of caring, integrity and public service. It was inspired by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who suggested identifying exemplary individuals and holding them up as role models to be emulated by others. Caring Award winners are inducted into the Hall of Fame, located three blocks east of the U.S. Capitol, at 320 A Street, NE,Washington, DC. Joshua is one of the 5 youths chosen as this years winner. Thanks to all those who voted for Joshua.
MediaWe are grateful to our media partners for helping to spread the word about JHF and Joshua:- South Florida Times, August 2010: Young boy's foundation to feed the needy on Saturday
- NBC Miami-Local Beat, August 14, 2010: Nine-Year-Old Stamps Out Hunger
- Digital Journal, September 20, 2010: Miami non-profit raises awareness to help 'stomp out hunger'
- CBS 4 interview with Feeding South Florida
- Story on MSNBC
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