The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Breakfast held for those in need
Pancakes, eggs and more breakfast dishes were provided by The Najia Diara Rayal Foundation for Gun Awareness and Safety on Dec. 1 to those in need.
The breakfast was held at the R.J. Gordon Manor apartments in Elyria as a continuous attempt to pay it forward in the memory of the late Najia Diara Rayal Boone of Elyria, according to her grandmother Rhonda Washington.
Residents enjoyed each other’s company and a breakfast to start their Saturday morning, as awareness of the foundation was provided.
The foundation was founded by Washington to inform, support others and celebrate the life of Najia, who was the victim of an accidental shooting at 8-years-old in February 2009.
For the last nine years, Washington has advocated for gun safety and teaching children what to do if they come in contact with a gun in Oberlin, Elyria and Lorain, as well as in Las Vegas and Texas, where she has resided.
She said the foundation provides free services such as breakfasts, prom pictures for school districts in Lorain County, discussions at local schools and more recently scholarships.
For the Holidays, she added the foundation will performing Christmas Carols at local nursing homes to spread cheer. Members of the Najia Diara Rayal Foundation for Gun Awareness and Safety enjoy each other’s company over breakfast with residents of the RJ Gordan Manor apartments in Elyria on Dec. 1. The breakfast is one of many services provided by the foundation to promote awareness on gun safety and kindness to others in the community.
Washington is also in the process of getting a clothing-line started in honor of Najia called Najia’s Collection, Clothing with a Purpose.
She said she promised Najia she would have a clothing-line ready for her by 2019.
Each piece of clothing will include safety tips benefiting to children and families, Washington said.
“I’ve been doing this since 2009,” she said. “I can’t stop and I won’t stop.”
Washington added she’s trying to not only bring awareness to youngsters, but to adults.
The more information and awareness, the more people will become part of
the change, she said.
Najia was a happy and smart young girl who believed in God, she said.
“She knew this foundation would be about kindness because that’s who she was,” Washington said. “Every time I can do something for somebody, I know she’s smiling down at me. We’re just going to do a lot of stuff just to give back and put a smile on their face.”
Her aunt Lila Taylor is a member of the foundation, also.
Taylor said it’s a great feeling to spread positivity and provide any services to those in need.
However, it’s important that they continue to
spread awareness on gun violence and safety.
She said the issue of gun violence has become a problem in Lorain County amongst many ages who are not educated on the matter or simply abusing the law.
“Today, hopefully, we can get some people to understand that it’s got to stop. It’s got to stop,” she said. “A breakfast is a start. Or if we can’t stop it, let’s slow it down and let our children know (we are here).”
Taylor stressed adults and families should take on the action: stop, look and listen, because it can create more awareness or prevent further accidents.