BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
From his experience as a football coach at Plant, Blake, Middleton, and Tampa Bay Vo-Tech High Schools, Horace Drew found himself drawn to young people. He also found himself acting as a father figure to a lot of the young men he coached.
Because of his passion for helping kids, a month ago, Drew founded the “Rays Of Hope Community Outreach Ministry.”
“I started giving away bicycles last year, and this year, I was able to provide bikes to the YET Center, Peace Progressive M. B. Church, Genesis, Abundant Life, Living Faith Church, Potter School, Edison School, and I’m looking for others in need.
“I want to continue the dream of Rev. Sam King, who passed away last year. His dream was to make sure our young people are successful, know about life, stay out of trouble, and know about God.”
Drew said his ministry is a year-round activity, not just something for the holidays.
“I believe a ministry is supposed to reach out to kids all over, not just in one area. I want to reach them all over, no matter how far I have to travel.
“I also have a dream of taking a group of kids to the MLK Center so they will know more about their history.”
Drew said God has really changed his life, and he’s concerned about the future of young people today.
“We’ve lost so many of our kids, and it’s up to us to save them.
“You have to have something special to deal with kids. The first thing is you have to listen to them. You also have to have patience.”
Drew, along with a group of volunteers, travel to the Salvation Army every other Saturday to feed the homeless, and always leaves them with a spiritual message.
Drew said none of what he’s been able to accomplish would have been possible without the help of his sponsors, Wilson’s Funeral Home, Ray Williams Funeral Home, Gudes Funeral Home, Discount Cleaners on 22nd Street, Port-A-Pit Barbecue, Dr. Miles of Florida Orthopedic, H & H Security Agency, and Caspers Company (McDonalds).
Horace Drew is a 1977 graduate of Hillsborough High School. After graduation, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended college and worked as an electrician.
The father of four said the cold climate forced him to move back to Tampa, and he feels it was God’s will that he return home.
If you want to contact the ministry, you can e-mail them at HYPERLINK “mailto:raysofhopeoutreach@gmail.com” raysofhopeoutreach@gmail.com.
