Be-Cause We CARE!
By Theresa Racine
A little rain couldn’t keep these domestic violence warriors down. Despite some rain on Saturday, October 7, Queen Royal Priest Hood (QRPH), with Roslyn Mason and Queen Esther Arroyo, showed up with ponchos in hand and showed a little rain wasn’t going to ruin the sixth annual QRPH’s 5K Be-Cause run/walk. Be-Cause is about running for whatever your cause is. That cause could be for domestic violence, breast cancer, poverty, or blindness. Whatever you are walking for, it’s because there are people in this world who care for you and your cause. The run/walk started at Beach 90th and the boardwalk and ended at Beach 17th, where trophies were given to kids who participated and prizes were given to the winners, along with food for all.
Then, on Friday, October 21, rain threatened my Homage to Tina Turner and friends’ domestic violence awareness event, but the event was moved indoors at St. Rose of Lima Church, thanks to Father James. The day was full of speakers, resources, activities, a movie and more.
Queens Justice Center’s Moises Reyes provided the movie and prizes for our raffle. Partnerships for Park provided pizza for everyone along with some crafts. New Day Treatment Center provided sodas and popcorn for the movie. Daniella May provided water. Queens Royal Priest Hood provided some things for our raffle. Each table had resources for people to be able to share with others.
Every event has a reason and it is because of the people we serve, and we care very much for. At her event, Queen Esther Aroyo said, “We are here because we do not want the next generation to go through what we went through.” Those that came out in the rain are considered warriors. Whether you came as a sponsor or you came as a participant, it takes a lot to come out when the weather isn’t so good.
As an event coordinator, I like to be intentional. I want people to walk away with hope, feeling like they are not alone and giving them a safe place to express their feelings. But we also like to have some fun. At my event on Saturday, some folks wore purple for domestic violence awareness, and some dressed up like Tina Turner as we had performances to her songs like, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Simply The Best,” and “Proud Mary.” The music was provided by DJ Rhythm Selector J.
Veronica Caicedo brought her Zumba flair, this time to “Proud Mary.” Guests were able to write messages of hope and light a candle at our memorial table. Some brave folks shared their stories of survival. We want to thank the Domestic Violence Officers of the 100th Precinct for always being there for outreach. We enjoyed food, we had serious conversations, and most of all, we had fun. That’s community. The next event will be in January, save the date!
Community that cares just Be-Cause, makes a safer and brighter community.
