Class of 1962 giving back

BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — Gibbs High School Class of 1962 had not seen their classmates in over 50 years until they decided to plan their 51st class reunion. Reconnecting with old friends and planning the reunion was so much fun they decided to form a committee. This committee will not just plan class reunions; however, the committee is planning ways to give back to the community.

Last Thanksgiving they gave away enough food to feed five families in need and also donated $200 to the Enoch Davis Center commemorative quilt honoring the 30-year history of the center.

Now the Class of 1962 schoolmates are giving away hundreds of items to the homeless through Daystar Life Center. By giving the center items such as toothpaste, shampoo, socks, soap, lotion and other hygiene products, they will help hundreds of poverty stricken individuals and families.

Daystar Life Center is a resource center that currently impacts the lives of more than 40,000 children, women and men annually. Their goal is to alleviate the suffering and hopelessness experienced by members of the community who are economically or physically challenged. Most recipients are living below the federal poverty level.

The classmates have decided to take down hundreds of items every three month to help stock the shelves of the center.

“We wanted to give back to the community, and for now we are just focusing on Daystar because homelessness is so prevalent in our community,” said Jacqueline Johnson Holmes, class secretary.

If you’d like to donate to Daystar Life Center, please log on to daystarlife.com.