Unwrapping Christmas Gift Donations at So Others Might Eat (SOME)

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fantastic, thanks be to God! Last Monday, I unwrapped the Christmas gifts in the form of donations for So Others Might Eat's (SOME) shoebox gift donation. These gifts were donated by generous individuals, families, groups, and organizations; items included essentials for women, girls, boys, and men. I've been volunteering with SOME for the past two years, and for this project I got to work with the lovely Ann (shoebox donations coordinator). The holiday season should be about enjoying the precious moments with your loved ones, as well as blessing others out there.

Ruby B. Johnson

Ann (SOME staff) and Ruby B. Johnson

So Others Might Eat (SOME) is the only interfaith, community-based organization in the District of Columbia that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens of the city. SOME exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's capital. They meet the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing, and health care. They help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time.

Ruby B. Johnson with SOME staff

The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Like my Facebook Page

Follow me on Twitter @MissSaloneUSA
Follow me on Instagram @MissSierraLeoneUSA

Miss Sierra Leone USA Teams Up With South African Embassy on 2014 Nelson Mandela International Day

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing great, thanks to the Almighty. On July 18th, I volunteered with the United States Embassy of South Africa at the So Others Might Eat (SOME) homeless shelter for Mandela Day. The annual Nelson Mandela International Day, July 18, was launched in recognition of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s birthday on July 18th, 2009. It is more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy. It is a global movement to honor his life’s work and act to change the world for the better. The message behind Mandela Day is simple – each individual has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better. My personal platform as Miss Sierra Leone USA is Advocating for SHERO, and S stands for service; therefore, a Day like this is very near and dear to my heart. Also, I've always admired the work and seen Tata Madiba as my honorary great grandfather.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact. It was inspired by a call Nelson Mandela made in 2008, for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices when he said that “it is in your hands now”. Since the late Nelson Mandela fought for social justice for 67 years, it is recommended that individuals utilize 67 minutes on Mandela Day and make a positive contribution in their community. Mandela Day is not meant as a public holiday, but as a day to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's civil rights leader and former President, and his values, through volunteering and community service. I may not be South African but because of Papa Mandela, an African girl like me grew up in a nation like Sierra Leone in peace and freedom with lots of African pride. Because of Africans like Papa Mandela, I can.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

On Mandela Day, individuals in South Africa and around the world rallied together in community service in honor of Tata Madiba's birthday and lifelong service to the world. In commemoration of this Day, I teamed up with the Embassy of South Africa in the United States to do my 67 minutes of service. Multiple programs were set up by the embassy, and I had the opportunity to serve at the SOME homeless shelter. As some of you may know, I've been volunteering at the SOME dining room over the past months. However, for Mandela Day I got to volunteer at the SOME affordable housing shelter in a different location. For Mandela Day, activities involved: cleaning the shelter, gardening, planting flowers, cleaning the playground, and many more.

Miss Sierra Leone USA Ruby B. Johnson and Ms. Anne Cornelius (Embassy of South Africa staff member)

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and SOME staff member

SOME staff member and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson and SOME staff member

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with Embassy of South Africa and SOME staff members

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with Embassy of South Africa and SOME staff members

Overall, I had a great time serving with these wonderful women and men as we continue the legacy of Tata Madiba. While cleaning up, the South African embassy staff and individuals taught me some words in Xhosa (one of the official languages in South Africa) and I taught them some words in Krio. As we kept talking and getting to know each other, we realized how much similar we all are as Africans regardless of the artificial regional boundaries in our continent. In addition, they admired my dedication to service and proud that young folks are still energetic about giving back. A couple of them even recommended I pay a visit to Africa's "rainbow nation," and by God's grace I plan to do that in the future.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with fellow Mandela Day volunteers

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson with fellow Mandela Day volunteers

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources, those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease. - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

T-shirt: When You Believe Foundation, Inc.

Like my Facebook Page

Follow me on Twitter @MissSaloneUSA

Follow me on Instagram @MissSierraLeoneUSA

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013 Serves Breakfast At SOME

Hello world!!!

Happy Holidays, everyone. I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been doing fantastic and enjoying every moment of this holiday season surrounded by love, family, and friends. Yesterday morning, I volunteered at So Others Might Eat, Inc. (SOME) serving breakfast. A month ago, I served breakfast at SOME, and it is always a pleasure being of help to the SOME staff and folks in need. My personal platform as Miss Sierra Leone USA is Advocating for SHERO, S stands for Service.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

SOME before sunrise

The reason why I choose to serve breakfast at SOME in contrast to lunch or dinner is because I believe that breakfast is a very important meal and can determine the outcome of one's day. Eating a nutritious meal early in the morning provides energy and sets the pace for an individual's mood to start their day. Being that I personally handed out the food to the individuals, I believe that saying "good morning" with a big smile and cheerful countenance can help to brighten the individual's day.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Fact: So Others Might Eat (SOME) is the only interfaith, community-based organization in the District of Columbia that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens of the city. SOME exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's capital. They meet the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing, and health care. They help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time.

Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson
Be a Queen with a Crown and a Cause

The work of the SOME staff is fantastic, but the contribution of volunteers is vital. It is always great to meet the folks I volunteer with and see their passion to serve their community. I met a nice gentleman from Ghana who was there to volunteer, and he told me that he was in the United States for the holidays; he mentioned that his young daughter is the reason he was there to volunteer. What a great way to spend time with one's child, and to serve those that do not have enough during the holiday season.

Mr. Charthell (SOME staff) and Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson

Special thanks to Mr. Charthell, our volunteer supervisor for the breakfast service. Thank you for being a great host and coordinator throughout the whole process. Overall, I had a great time serving the people. It is always a humbling experience serving at SOME and I'm always grateful for the work this great organization does for those in need in our nation's capital. It is great to receive, but there is always great joy in giving to others and serving one's community. Have a great weekend, everyone.

You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it fearlessly. - Steve Maraboli

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Like my Facebook Page

Follow me on Twitter @MissSaloneUSA

Follow me on Instagram @MissSierraLeoneUSA