The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Carolers come out for cheer at Kingston
Voices raised in the spirit of Christmas greeted residents and staff of Kingston of Vermilion on Dec. 16.
Members of the Najia Diara Rayal Foundation for Gun Awareness and Safety visited the rehabilitation and long-term care residence for 40 minutes of walking the halls while singing Christmas carols.
The group included Rhonda Washington, founder and grandmother of Najia Diara Rayal, who died of an accidental gunshot wound in February 2009.
“This is what stabilized me when she died,” Washington said. “I felt like I had to do something to keep her memory alive. If I didn’t I would feel like I was cheating her.”
She was joined by Francine Bush-Williams, executive director of the foundation.
The organization exists to raise awareness of
gun safety. The Lorain Police Department has been a supporter providing gun locks for owners of firearms.
“We’re not trying to take your guns away from you, that’s not what we’re about,” Bush-Williams said. “We just want you to have more responsibility and
think about children, how impressionable they are.”
The mission has expanded to include a number of programs to help the community, including raising money for scholarships.
In 2019, the group has plans to work with students to design a Najia clothing line and produce the items in Elyria. The title: Najia’s Collection/Clothing with a Purpose, with tags carrying an admonition for gun safety.
“We want to put smiles on faces,” Washington said. “Najia’s our angel and we just want to bring life, bring smiles to this community.
“It’s not about us, it’s about giving back,” she said.
At Kingston of Vermilion, the singing group was made up of Washington and Bush-Williams, along with Foundation President Michelle McCall of Columbus, Director Carol McCall of Lorain, Director Barry Poellintz of Columbus and singer Kenneth Causby of Elyria.
Their a cappella song list included favorites such as “Silent Night,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “Silver Bells” and “Joy to the World.”
Stopping at the residents’ doorways, the singers wished them a merry Christmas.
“This is a blessing to be able to come here and just touch anybody’s heart,” Michelle McCall said.
“You saw the faces light up,” Carol McCall said. “Just one simple word can change somebody’s day or life.
“Even though we’re off key and whatever, they’re all happy and hi, merry Christmas,” she added. “It was good to make a difference in their day.”
“At Christmas time everybody wants a smile,” Causby said. “I don’t care if you’re old, 90 or whatever, everybody’s still got a heart and soul.”