12 Years of Christmas Caroling and Bonding

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – For Tiara Fox, 2018 was one of the most challenging times of her life.
The single mother of three boys lost her 12 year Liberty Street residence, when the roof of the apartment building her family lived in came off. Suddenly, without a permanent home, Tiara and her boys had to stay with an assortment of different family members. As diligently as she pursued financial assistance, she was denied at every turn, despite the fact that her single salary fell below the poverty line. Adding to her stress was having had recently suffered the loss of several family members. However, despite these obstacles, Fox, who always prides herself on doing things to pull people together, persevered. With the help of a friend, she was directed to the fourth annual “Family-n-Need Christmas Give-away” contest on a Newburgh Community Facebook site. She then drafted the needed essay, outlining her story, one read by the anonymous family members who contributed the monetary prizes. Just recently, the phone call of her selection as the $500 winner recipient came. On the other end was Aquanetta Wright, “The Ferry Godmother,” a name/woman known throughout Newburgh for her rapid and hard-working response to help people in Newbugh in need.

“I was so happy to hear I had been chosen; I am lucky and blessed to receive this gift,” said the appreciative Fox. “This year has been very trying in so many ways, but I do believe everything happens for a reason, and things are now slowly getting so much better for all of us, and we are good.”

The other recipient of the Christmas Give-away was Cara Conlon, a survivor of domestic violence with two small children. Conlon was awarded the $250 gift. Both families were on hand Thursday evening at the Newburgh Waterfront to receive their checks in a formal presentation, a part of the Ferry Godmother’s 13th Annual Christmas Caroling event. Here, an array of joyous community member carolers congregated, while singing a medley of popular Christmas songs to ferry boat commuters, as they returned home after their long work day.

Refreshments, including; chestnuts, cookies, hot chocolate and tea were available at the free venue open to the public. The popular caroling event is just one of many held by Wright who is committed throughout the year to bringing the Newburgh community together
“I do these events because it is always important to me that people have access to a safe space where they can come together to share in love and goodness,” said Wright. “It is especially important during the holiday season.”