By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

Nearly 300 people came out Monday night despite the stormy weather to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Osceola Visionaries Inc. has put on the event for 20 years and Anna M. Pinellas, chairperson and founder of the organization, said the group invited past honorees, speakers and emcees to attend the platinum celebration.

“We are to celebrate what Dr. King did everyday, not just today,” Elder John D. McDuffie, who performed the invocation, said.

“He had a dream that still resonates with the world today,” Tyne said of King. “Dreams are the testament of life. We can change this world like Dr. King, one dream at a time.”

Osceola Visionaries honored three residents for their commitment to community service in Osceola County.

Retired Kissimmee Police Department Sgt. Derek L. Crawford coached football and wrestling at Osceola High School and often helped residents in need pay their electric bill out of his own pocket, Russell Anderson, who introduced Crawford, said.

Anderson said Crawford was known to use the phrase “plum, pleasing, pleasure to meet you” and is a man of few words, which Crawford proved by quickly saying, “Thank you, God bless, good night.”

Jamerson Jones, who was called “a real down home cowboy” by presenter Jerome W. Godwin, was recognized for his dedication to the education of students at Poinciana High School, where he is dean of students and coaches both football and girls basketball.

“I don’t play when it comes to education and good character,” Jones is known for saying.

Jones has received the Coach of the Year award from Poinciana High School for four consecutive years.

“I’m blessed to be in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I guess the fourth time was the charm.”

Rechel Bryant Nganga was honored for bridging the gap between her students at Parkway Middle School and children in Kenya, Africa, by instituting a pen-pal system with all the students of the Kawelu Primary School in Makindu, Kenya.

Nganga helped raise nearly $7,000 for the Kenyan school. Kenyan officials have decided to build a second school and name it The Parkway Kewelu Girl’s Secondary School in honor of Parkway Middle School.

“She was a symbol of hope for the poor kids in Kenya,” presenter Deloris McMillon said of Nganga.

Nganga said a student brought his piggy bank to school to donate his entire savings into the fund for the Kenyan students.

“Being an educator is not just educating here. They learned from each other,” she said. “My life has changed tremendously.”

Martin Luther King Jr. was known for his community service and for 25 years the country has honored his legacy with a national day of service near King’s Jan. 15 birthday.