1. Justice: 

I thought I must have conjured him up.   It was the day of the terrorist bombings in London.  Like most everyone else, I had been sending fervent thoughts and prayers to the victims, families, travelers and citizens.   I had even been able to email some cyber friends in England, who, thankfully, responded.

I had also been thinking about Homer Justice throughout the day, wondering if, as on past occasions, he had been summoned by the High Sheriff to take the talented dogs to one destination or another to protect us Jersey folk.  Needless to say, thankful thoughts and prayers went to all those brave souls who rush to duty to protect us.

That evening the phone rang. Homer was on the line.  (Don't you just love his name - Sheriff's Deputy Justice?).  I hadn't heard from him for quite a long time, more than a year.   I was astonished, in fact got a little chill, and told him I had been thinking about him.   The dogs were out there, he said, but he was calling about another mission.

"We have to take care of the kiddies, too." he told me.   And that was when I learned that he had a contribution for Better Beginnings from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Lodge Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, M.W. Harry McDowell, Grand Master.  The special news was that this year they had doubled the amount, making it $1,000.

The gift couldn't have come at a better time.  As always, we are struggling, and the difficulties are doubling too.

How thankful we are to "Justice" and his fraternal organization for their generosity, courage, and for finding the time midst their worthy pursuits to "always think of and take care of the "kiddies".

"Justice" is yet another example of one who, while upward bound in the process of  "reaching his full potential", regularly gives a hand to others who need encouragement and a little help.  As a consistent advocate for Better Beginnings, he has found many ways to support the center which he describes as "one of the best..doing a wonderful job with the kids."  He has first hand knowledge since his son, Jarrett, and niece, Chayna, were among the students who attended during the center's early years.

The many ways he has supported include numerous generous personal contributions, and collecting 50,000 pennies for our drive.  As he collected, he also spread many good words about Better Beginnings, so that we flourished in many ways.

Among his other achievements, he is now the R.W. Homer O. Justice, 33^o for the State of New Jersey Grand Lodge of Prince

The institution of freemasonry among (African Americans) "commemorates the name and deeds of Prince Hall¹,"  who was made a freemason on March 6, 1775, and who, among many amazing accomplishments, "sought and obtained the entrance of Free Blacks into the Revolutionary Army, in 1775.¹"

"It is generally recognized that the original charter issued to African Lodge, Number 459 (later changed to 370) on the English Register , is the oldest extant in the United Sates of America.1" "That charter, now in the Archives of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, was dated September 29, 1784.¹"

(1Resource:  "In Retrospect, a Survey of the Source and Course of Prince Hall Freemasonry in New Jersey" by R.W. Kermit E. Bruner< Jr. 32o, Grand Historian)

Excerpts are available at http://www.mwphglnj.org/History.htm

We are indebted to Prince Hall, a heroic figure, who during a difficult time in the history of our country was courageous, self-confident and persevered, providing an outstanding model for those who followed.  We think he would be proud of Justice, a modern hero, who is always willing to help others in any way he can.  We are grateful that Justice and all our supporters have looked kindly upon Better Beginnings' efforts to offer an excellent early childhood education for our young students while providing families with the opportunity to provide for themselves and their children.

Blanca Quesada and her Mom visited us recently.  Blanca has had perfect attendance for more than six years at public school.  Her Mom relates that Blanca loves school so much that even if she is feeling not-so-well, that she will look at the clock and say to her Mom, "You have ... minutes to help me feel better."   Congratulations Blanca, you have a wonderful future, and we are proud of you

3. Donation Procedure: 

Donations of useful articles are accepted on Monday and Tuesday, so that we have the rest of the week to distribute the items.  Because of a lack of storage space, and the fact that the space we use is shared with us by the FPCH Sunday School, any items that are not distributed by the end of the week, either to classrooms or to families, are either put aside for future yard sales or are donated to another non-profit.