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WASHINGTON - Congressman Charles Rangel, WNBA All-Stars Shameka Christon (New York Liberty) and Vickie Johnson (former New York Liberty – now San Antonio Silver Stars) and the international relief organization Feed The Children distributed food and personal care items to needy Northern Manhattan families on Tuesday morning July 11.
"It is unfortunate that say that even in a country as wealthy as ours, a land of so much abundance, we still have families who go to sleep every night without food, said Congressman Rangel. "But thanks to people like Feed The Children Director Rev. Larry James and the WNBA, these families will get a much needed helping hand."
The sponsors worked with local community organization Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) to distribute free boxes of food and personal care items to 800 families at Jackie Robinson Park (Bradhurst Ave., between 149th and 150th Streets.) The event was one of several community service projects that the WNBA planned ahead of their 10th Annual All-Star Game to be held Wednesday, July 12 at Madison Square Garden.
Also in attendance was Daniel Wachira, a four-year old that found refuge at a Feed The Children orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya after his face had been mutilated by dogs. Rep. Rangel and Rev. Jones were instrumental in securing the boy's entry into the U.S. so that reconstructive surgery could be performed. The first of several of these procedures was recently completed in Houston.
"My office was blessed to have the opportunity to get past the politics to get this truly remarkable child here in this country," said Rangel, still touched the young boy's story and contagious energy. "I never thought that God would be so good to me as to bring such a prize like Daniel into Harlem. But thank goodness she did and we are all the better for it. "
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