A new tradition for tree-lighting

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The Baldwin Oaks Civic Association and the York College chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success will remember Dejah Joyner at their first tree-lighting Dec. 12.

The event, at 7 p.m. at Coes Neck Park, will memorialize Joyner, 12, who died last month when a stray bullet entered her Hempstead home, said organizer Juana Gauthier.

“It breaks our hearts to see and hear that there are young individuals will not be able to say that they have graduated high school or better yet, junior high school,” Gauthier said in an email, which noted that the tree lighting will also honor other who have lost their lives prematurely. “We want to show an intergenerational movement to show that the community cares and we come together to protect our future ... our children.”

Gauthier said organizers hope the joint venture between the Baldin Oaks group and the York Leadership and Success Society will be “a blueprint for other communities to come together as well, and advocate for a stop the violence movement.”

Special guests include gospel singer Carol Maraj, mother of Nicki Minaj and founder of the Carol Maraj Foundation; Liana Harper Cruz, a singer and wife of Latino actor Victor Cruz, of “Gotham” fame, and Cenee Lee, a 17-year-old singer who works under the auspices of the Carol Maraj Gospel production company.  Also, Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy L. Goosby will attend.

“I’m a mother of four children,” Gauthier said. “This cause of bringing awareness to the community touches my heart because I want my children to make it and surpass their educational career.  My husband and I have been residents of Baldwin for over 10 years and the thought that our children are no longer safe in our own homes is devastating.”

To volunteer, or for more information, contact juanaguathier@gmail.com or eaccimeus@gmail.com.