White Plains, NY — On Monday, the Westchester County Board of Legislators commemorated Caribbean-American Heritage Month with a virtual ceremony lauding the efforts of two Caribbean-American role models: Sheryl Crawford of Mount Vernon and Festus “Hit” Neufville of Yonkers.

Board Chair Catherine Borgia (D – Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Croton, Ossining, Peekskill) kicked off the observance saying, “The diverse Caribbean culture brought by those who have settled here in Westchester has become part of our own. One of the best qualities that is inherent in much of Caribbean culture is the desire to help and love thy neighbor. Tonight we honor two individuals who show their love for their communities and their desire to nurture and to help in everything they do.”

Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels (D – Mount Vernon) presented the first proclamation saying, “I am so pleased to bestow this honor on my hard-working constituent, Sheryl Crawford.

We are blessed to have Sheryl giving her all as a family care advocate to improve the quality of life for everyone here in Mount Vernon, and particularly for our children. She advocates for youth facing hardship through the court system to ensure that they are treated fairly and are safe. Among other activities, she is a board member of the All Islands Association, and works to help the homeless through her church program, “Unity Clothe the Community.”

Ms. Crawford thanked the Legislator, and the entire Board for the honor saying, “I am proud of my Jamaican background and the life lessons it taught me. I am also driven and proud to have many opportunities to represent disadvantaged communities while vocalizing to reach local and national policymakers. As a District Leader and strong community service advocate, I will not stop using my voice and platform to support those who are in need. I thank you all again, for showing appreciation for the things I have done. I am honored and touched to receive this proclamation.”

The Board declared June 29, 2022 “Sheryl Crawford Day” in Westchester County.

You may also go to Vimeo to watch the full video.

Majority Leader Chris Johnson (D - Yonkers) presented the second proclamation to Co-Owner of Juices for Life in Yonkers, Festus Neufville. He said, “Festus, or ‘Hit’ as he is known in the community, teamed up with Jason ‘Jadakiss’ Phillips and David ‘Styles P’ Styles to open Juices for Life in 2014. They all share the same goals – to educate the community about how good eating and nutrition make for better and healthier lives all around …As a school educator, I am so aware of how good nutrition makes for alert, energized and happy students, and I commend Festus for bringing this awesome opportunity to the community of Yonkers and beyond.”

“In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle, for the past eight years Juices for Life has teamed up with PCNYintheStreets for three annual charitable giveaways to our community at back-to-school, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most recently, Festus funded fifteen minority high school students to take the Yonkers police department test and also plans to do the same thing for the Yonkers fire department. He is someone who is truly committed to our community in every way.”

Neufville humbly accepted the honor, thanking Legislator Johnson as well as those he has partnered with throughout the years in his charitable efforts. He said, “My father would be so proud to see me if he was with me today, coming from where we did in Kingston with the have-nots and the have-less, coming to America and living the American dream … I’m so happy to be able to give back and help the Yonkers community that I so cherish and to be a part of the Juices for Life family.”

The Board declared June 30, 2022 “Festus ‘Hit’ Neufville Day” in Westchester County.

You may also go to Vimeo to watch the full video.

Read a program for Monday night’s event at: westchesterlegislators.com/images/Newsroom/2022/2022-caribbean-heritage-program.pdf