January 5, 2013 - January 11, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Courtesy photos

The Divine Hearts- Joyous Hearts Christmas Event, Dec. 22, was held to benefit the Hannah More Shelter in Reisterstown, Md. It actually encompassed everything Christmas represents- love, gratitude, fellowship, compassion, joy and celebration. The place was vibrant, filled with excitement and magical moments.

The children and their mothers were astonished when they entered a room filled with an array of gifts especially for them. Thirty seven received boots, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, McDonald’s gifts, school supplies, books, games and candy bags. The women, 50 total, also received hats, gloves and scarves.

Divine Hearts staff members cried when they heard the children say, “I feel like I want to cry because I’m so happy.” There was so much appreciation all around.

“The Christmas Event is so important to me and dear to my heart. When I created this organization, I wanted people feel loved and special all year long,” said Pamela Coleman, president and founder of Divine Hearts. “For Christmas, I want to bring a spirit of love, letting them know there are hearts that genuinely care today and onward! We were elated to see everyone enjoying the event; their smiles and laughter of happiness were priceless.”

Pamela Coleman seated, with other volunteers

Divine Hearts board, from left, Ramona Evans, Joy Sample, Pamela Coleman, Anika Turner, Angela Macon

#1 Ravens Fan Capt. Dee Fence

Paul Gardner, J. Wyndal Gordon and Larry Young

Treniea Burgess, Quiana Washington and Tiffany Randolph

Frank Johnson, WPBRADIO. Com, April Johnson, Terronce Styyles and Kionne Agent

L-R Darryl W. Stutely, Honey Puryear, Qiara Butler, Stephanie Nguyen, Joan Wilson and Marty Puryear

Magician Bill Gross

Susan Smallwood, Perfect 10 Socialite, and Anoko Zankli

Jerusalem Lodge # 59 Masons

L-R Derrick Camper, Yvonne Frye, Pat Tunstall and Gaines Lansey

Yancy Boyd, Kenneth Taylor and Gordy Conyers

Kyle Logan, Constance Ellis and A. Rod Womack

Mahogany Jones, Lance London, CEO Carolina Kitchen, and Micheline Bowman

Mel B. Styles, Shawon Reed and Alicia Stewart

Mark Hunter and state Del. Keith E. Haynes

Mocca Demby, Kevin W. Parsons and Wanda Demby

The Gardner Law Group of Baltimore presented the 7th Annual Gardner Law Group Holiday Celebration and Toy Drive, Dec. 18, at Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards. GLG made history this year by exceeding donations from events held in 2010 and 2011 combined. A total of 2,257 toys were donated in the spirit of giving back to those less fortunate. Paul Gardner, managing partner of the Gardner Law Group and his wife Martina Gardner reveled over the overwhelming support the community offered that evening. “This event was absolutely amazing, Gardner said.”We are extremely excited about the amount of toys collected which will touch the lives of many

families in the area. We are truly thankful for all those who came out and shared this evening with us and

we look forward to serving more families and more

organizations for years to come.”

Photos by Anderson Ward

January 5, 2013 - January 11, 2013, The Afro-American B1

The Campos Family was honored and presented with a Christmas gift.

Chaplain Devon Foster, pastor; James Wimbush, Col. Fern Sumpter, commander, JBM-HH; Col. Ira Cheatham, commander, Hqs & Service Battalion, USMC; Lt. Col. Priscilla Smalls and Sgt. Maj Cressman, USMC

Seated - Dorothy Powell, Cieil Shelton and Joszette Johnson; Standing - Kenny Johnson, Carolyn Johnson, Laverne Lashley and Glenda Fair

Sgt. LaQuanius Cuter, USMC and daughters, Laila and Tynasia; received a Christmas gift.

The McDonald family: Katina, Tony, Gabby and David

Lt. Col. Priscilla Smalls, Denyse Gordon, MS Veteran America, Jesse Navarro, Edgar Brookins, Tecoya Gordon, Miss Black DC USA, Kimberly Clark and Angel Williams

The Benford family

Andrea Joe and her twin daughters, home from college.

Anita Laury’s nieces and nephews

The Douglas family, Bill and Pam

Chaplain(Lt. Col., USAF) Myrtle Bowen; Tony McDonald, president, PMOC; Alvin Burse, president, Marriage Ministry and Chaplain Devon Foster, USN, Gospel Service pastor

Photos by Rob Roberts

Miss Maryland Intercontinental 2013, Alexandra Morton (far left) with former Miss DC USA Queens.

Miss DC Teen USA contestants during opening production dance.

Pageant co-Hosts: Kamie Crawford, Miss Teen USA 2010 and radio personality, Sunni, WPGC 95.5 FM

Miss DC USA contestants in their opening dance production.

Miss DC USA swimsuit competition

Sierra Hadley crowning the 2013 Miss DC Teen USA winner, Despina Ades.

Five finalists for the 2013 Miss DC USA.

Presenting Miss DC USA 2013, Jessica Frith who was also named the most photogenic.

2013 Judges with the pageant winners.

Outgoing queens with the newly crowned queens.

Edgar Brookins, Afro American Newspaper and Aunni Young (center) with the queens Despina Andes and Jessica Frith along with the pageant director, Carla Crawford (right).

Photos by Rob Roberts

Photos by Rob Robert

Cookie decorators

Denise Arrington, Marcia Butler Jahman Butler Niziah Arrington ElJah Arrington

Eric M. Birts Sr. with his children and Mr. Brookins

Jeannette Campbell, Kisha McKay,Cheyenne McKay and Annette Campbell

Sharndell, Sherelle and Shane King

Some gifts were bigger than the recipients.

Ms. Beverly and Family

Somebody wasn't very happy.

The AFRO’s Mrs. Santa Campaign once again answered holiday dreams bringing gifts-- and smiles-- during this holiday season.  This year’s Mrs. Santa Campaign in the Washington, D.C. office featured a Christmas luncheon with Mrs. Santa and AFRO staff, gingerbread crafts, holiday book give-a-way, bike raffles, and a grand prize raffle for a

Kindle Fire for one lucky family and as every year – a room full of toys and stockings for everyone. This momentous holiday campaign continues to link families, our communities and our readers, and we are graciously proud to bring holiday cheer to all year after year.  Happy Holidays!

Ben Phillips, Global Markets; Mia Hayes-Hawkins, Mrs. Santa and Edgar Brookins, D.C. Office Manager

The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) Gospel Service under the leadership of Chaplain(LT) Devon Foster hosted its annual Christmas Banquet on Dec 15 at the Fort Myer, Va. Officers’ Club. Three military families were recognized and given special holiday gifts that brought cheer to them. Holiday music was provided by the Spiritual Harmonizers and keyboardist Angel Williams and friends sang Christmas carols and led the guests in a “Name That Tune” game. A holiday message was given by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Myrtle Bowen who is also pastor of Gilbraith AME Zion Church. Special guests in attendance included Col. Fern Sumpter, base commander and Col. Ira Cheatham, commander, HQS and Service Battalion, USMC. Each attendee received a gift bag.

The L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Northwest, Washington, DC was the site of the 2013 Miss DC USA and Miss DC Teen USA Pageant Finals Dec 2. After a grueling two days of

competing in the categories of swimsuit, gowns and Q & A’s with 12 teen and 24 misses

contestants, the winners were announced by the judges: Despina Ades, Miss DC Teen USA 2013 and Jessica Frith, Miss DC USA 2013. Kamie Crawford, Miss

DC Teen USA 2010 and WPGC radio personality

Sunni severed as the Co-Hosts along with Chance Spiessbach, a media personality.

Musical guest ANHAYLA performed during the pageant. A highlight of the pageant was a salute to Afghanistan Veteran, Army Lt. Col. Priscilla Smalls. Pageant Director Carla Crawford is to be commended for a very professional and well executed pageant production.