The late Glenda Glover and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would’ve been proud.
Close to 200 people attended the Niagara Falls Housing Authority’s annual “I Have a Dream” luncheon on Monday to celebrate King’s legacy and remember Glover, who had spent years organizing the event and had been serving as interim executive director of the Niagara Community Center.
Glover passed away Aug. 14, putting this year’s King luncheon in jeopardy, according to organizer Owen Steed Sr.
“At first, we weren’t sure if we were going to do it this year, but we know Glenda would never want it to be canceled,” he said.
Not only did the event go on, Glover’s dedication and service to the community were recognized with the luncheon’s “I Have a Dream” past award. Other recipients were Dr. Lawanda Lamar Bellamy, present, and students Crystal and Chris Gandy, future.
Bellamy, a pediatrician at Women and Children’s Hospital, grew up in the North End and still lives in Niagara Falls. She said the housing authority and community center are a big advantage to residents and gives them the opportunity to improve their lives.
“It’s a great honor to receive an award,” she said. “I’m glad the community hasn’t forgotten me.”
Monday’s luncheon was held at the Doris W. Jones Family Resource Building and included chicken, side dishes and desserts. The program, held in memory of Glover, Doris W. Jones and Edward “Pete” Ivey, featured comments from guest speaker Councilman Charles Walker and several musical selections before the awards were handed out.
Resident Lena Thomas attended the luncheon proudly wearing a T-shirt with pictures of King and President Barack Obama, highlighting their similarities.
“I am as proud today as I am going to be tomorrow,” she said Monday, referring to Obama’s inauguration.
Steed, who works at the community center, said he was happy with the annual luncheon’s attendance and how quickly it was organized over the past couple of weeks.
“The community always seems to come together,” he said. “We’re our past, we’re our present and we’re our future.”
Award Recipients
The following individuals were honored with “I Have a Dream” awards during Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon organized by the Niagara Falls Housing Authority’s Niagara Community Center:
• PAST: The late Glenda Glover
• PRESENT: Dr. Lawanda Lamar Bellamy
• FUTURE: Students Crystal and Chris Gandy
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Dan Cappellazzo/staff photograph
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