We had the opportunity to volunteer and perform at the Annual Cooper’s Family Juneteenth Fesitval.
For the past 50 years, the Cooper Family Juneteenth has been a unique event in San Diego. It’s history traces back to a man named Sidney Cooper Sr. who owned and ran the Twilight Barber Shop and the Cooper & Sons’ Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Produce Store on 2973 Imperial Avenue, along with his wife
Thelma who ran the adjacent Powder Puff Beauty Salon. A very proud Black man, Sidney strongly believed in the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses, giving back to the community, fostering entrepreneurship, and getting an education . Known as “the Mayor of Imperial Avenue” because of his heavy involvement in and love for his community, the hosting of Juneteenth was just one of the many ways Sydney gave back to the neighborhood he cared for so much.
The Cooper family continues to expand on the long established relationships built over many years to both preserve the heritage of this historically Black neighborhood, and be inclusive of the growing multicultural aspects of this now racially diverse
April 29th at 6 AM on a chilly, early Saturday morning as HEART (Higher Education and Rising Together) rose to the challenge and volunteered to walk for babies… After raising money for March of Dimes, HEART also contributed throughout the day. Setting up tents, moving tables, carrying water and any other opportunities where we could lend a helping hand. As HEART Member Dylon Irving stated, “Volunteering benefits the community as it shows you support it and its people”.
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to nearly half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies
After cheering on thousands of walkers including Blue Heart parents the entire BH Family continued to the second half of their purposeful day. One where they would take the time to get to know each other as family should, before sitting down to a delicious BBQ meal and after a rousing game of football with the boys… Each took the time to introduce themselves, in a large circle every family came to the center and spoke love and life from child to parent and vice versa. This was truly a community moment.
Tracy Morris (CEO of Blue Heart) would later say “I’m always amazed and inspired when the young men from HEART show up for volunteer service… After all how often do you see high school teens show up for volunteer work at 6 AM. There was not one complaint from over 30 teenage boys from 6 to 2 PM)
“All we have is each other and we have to constantly give back to our community, whether it’s money , time, or expertise. It’s the only way we will get better.” says HEART member Xavier Tillis … The Blue Heart Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization, find out how you can contribute or join us by contacting us via email at theblueheartfoundation@gmail.com
It was volunteer day at Sharia’s Closet whose goal is to alleviate clothing needs in San Diego County, seeking to fulfill their mission of providing free clothing to people in need. What a turn out with over 50 volunteers showing up to help carry out their mission. Volunteers are the backbone of Sharia’s Closet. We could never achieve what we do without the unfaltering commitment of time, support, skills, creativity and knowledge generously shared by so many.
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.
Volunteering increases self-confidence.Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
Volunteering provides a sense of purpose.One can find new meaning and purpose in their lives by helping others. Whatever your age or life situation, volunteering can help take your mind off your own worries, keep you mentally stimulated, and add more zest to your life.
Volunteering combats depression.A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Working with others has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Sharia’s Closet clothing room provides for the needs of families as well as many homeless and destitute people in our area. When people come to their programs they offer them a clean change of clothing. Most needs are: Jeans, sweaters, underwear, shoes, warm coats and business attire for those reentering the workforce. If you are considering a food or clothing drive at your congregation, organization, workplace or school, please let us know. They will work with you to launch a successful drive that will bless those we serve.
Lastly, Mrs. Linton (Sharia’s Closet Founder) remarked “Thank you to each and every one of you. The impact of your hard work is felt by the children and families we are able to help. Our success is your success. We can’t thank you enough for your time spent with us today. I want to say thanks to Tracy Morris and The Blue Heart Foundation for having a big part in today’s Volunteer day.We will be helping to sort and fold clothes for people in need and any other help requested”
We joined thousands at the 37th Annual – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. Continuing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, January 17, at 2:00 PM the Harbor Drive- Embarcadero. For one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade is filled with dazzling floats, phenomenal High School Bands, Drill Teams, College, Fraternities, Churches, Peace and Youth organizations.
Spectators along Harbor Drive enjoyed a crisp, sunny afternoon by the water, cheering a long line of floats, high schools bands, civic groups and other participants in what is often referred to as one of the country’s largest celebrations in honor of King.
There were 96 entries in the parade this year, from elected officials such as state Sen.Toni Atkins and San Diego City Councilwoman Myrtle Cole to the San Diego Black Panthers to local enforcement agencies and unions. Also marching were school bands including UC San Diego and San Diego State University, as well as Morse High School and Clairemont High School.
This parade is coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the oldest African American fraternity in America, founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithica, New York. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
This year the young men of The Blue Heart Foundation’s mentoring program HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) participated in the Annual San Diego Black Police Officers Association Thanksgiving Dinner drive. One of our core values is volunteerism, we feel its important to give back and serve our community regularly. But, don’t just use the hoiliday season to volunteer here are seven reasons to volunteer year round.
1. Mentoring younger kids – Mentoring younger kids is probably my favorite way to volunteer. I like to encourage other people to follow suit, however, I always let them know that mentees need consistency. You should always be there for them. Your mentoring is greatly appreciated and you can’t just decide when to go there. After all, it will be dispiriting for kids to never know when you’ll show up.
2. There’s always need – This is another great reason why you should volunteer the whole year round. There’s always somebody going sick or hungry, or somebody in need of clothes. Moreover, there is some organization that really needs your help. You don’t have to help every single day, but make it a rule to volunteer at least a few times a month.
3. Organizations rely on volunteers – There are many non-profit organizations that rely heavily on volunteers. It is important for these organizations to retain a great amount of volunteers the whole year round. There are environmental projects, animals, and people in need of their services anytime of the year.
4. It keeps you real and humble – Nowadays it is popular to be a volunteer. Some people do it in order to become famous, while others sincerely enjoy helping people in need. Volunteering is known to have a certain way of making everyone accountable for the way they act. Volunteering keeps you real and humble. I believe every person needs that.
5. Natural disasters occur year round – You know, natural disasters occur the whole year round and there are lots of families which get displaced when the disasters do happen. If you live in an area which is prone to floods, hurricanes, tornados, etc. make sure you look into when exactly these natural disasters tend to happen. Then, take every necessary step to help the food bank and local shelter stock up on food and other necessities in advance.
6. Inspire others to volunteer – If you enjoy helping people in need, why not inspire others to do the same? When you see someone donating some money in the grocery line to those $1 or $3 funds, perhaps you get inspired too. Inspire your family members, friends or coworkers to volunteer too. Explain them all of the wonderful advantages of volunteering.
7. It’s a great feeling – When you only volunteer during the holiday season, it can put you at a huge disadvantage for the rest of the year. Try to help out your favorite charity monthly and you will see that you will become much happier person. Volunteering gives us an amazing feeling. Even if you can only volunteer one day, it still counts. Your assistance will be highly appreciated, I promise.
In 2017, I hope you will volunteer the whole year round and help many people. You can give more than you think, remember it. Are you going to volunteer this year?
The Annual San Diego BPOA Thanksgiving Dinner drive benefited over 100 families, other amazing organizations that participated in this beautiful event that were Phi Beta Sigma, NFLPA, Sigma Gamma Rho, Brothers United and the San Diego Police Dept and was a great way to kick start the holidays
Sunday October 30th, 2016 – We participated in a the 2nd Annual Hip Hop 5K a 3.1 mile walk/run through Southeast San Diego. Along with hundreds of local residents as well as visitors. All sorts of people participated with us as we ran/walked together through our neighborhoods in a show of solidarity, health and innovative thought. We want to create a spark of creativity and forward thinking in the community. The overall goal of this 5k is to create a surge of positive energy and forward thinking in the residents of southeastern San Diego. We intend to accomplish this by demonstrating the wonders of physical activity, creativity and imagination with a combination of ART, FITNESS, CULTURE and COMMUNITY. Through this event we hope to rejuvenate the spirit of the people.
The entire vision for this project was carried out through the hard work of Dawud Hassan an extraordinary man who continuously works to better the local community… We look forward to running and volunteering again next year.
