Ela Toney, fourth from left, receives bouquet of flowers from Pastor Robert McBarnett, proper, along with his spouse to his proper, and Zita Adams, third from proper, flanked by members of the Toney Household.
Picture by Nelson A. King
The Bronx-based St. Matthias Charities, Inc. on Saturday, Oct. 28 devoted its annual fundraising Prayer Breakfast to Vaughan Toney, the late, long-standing president and chief government officer of the Brooklyn-based Buddies of Crown Heights Instructional Facilities.
Vincentian-born Toney died on Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023, after battling most cancers. He was 68.
“We needed to acknowledge Toney for the work he did within the Diaspora and in addition for his unflinching assist of St. Matthias Charities, Inc.,” Vincentian Bishop Robert McBarnett, president and founding father of the philanthropic group, advised Caribbean Life after the five-hour-long occasion.
“St. Matthias Charities, Inc. wouldn’t be the place it’s as we speak with out the assist of parents like Vaughan Toney,” he added. Throughout the occasion – which featured prayers, scripture studying, preaching and gospel singing, amongst different issues – St. Matthias Charities, Inc. introduced bouquet of flowers to Toney’s widow, Bridget Toney, and mom, Ela Toney.
Different members of the Toney Household attended the ceremony, together with Vaughan Toney’s uncle, Joel Toney, a former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the United Nations; Joel’s spouse, Dr. Joyce Toney, a retired Professor in Historical past at Hunter Faculty, Metropolis College of New York (CUNY); and aunt, Lois Toney.
The household of Ela Toney’s late sister, Albertha Toney, additionally introduced a bouquet of flowers to Ela on behalf of Albertha.
“I stand right here as we speak with my cousins Myrna and Eula on behalf of our household’s matriarch, the late Albertha Martina Toney, my grandmother, who handed away a couple of years in the past, at 96 years outdated, leaving a wealthy legacy for us to emulate,” stated Lushan Toney earlier than making the presentation. “Granny was her mom’s solely youngster and the first-born of our nice grandfather, the late Mr. Hubert Toney.
“So, her paternal siblings have been an enormous a part of her life’s satisfaction and pleasure,” she added. “She by no means spoke of any of them with out beaming like the brilliant summer season solar and with an infectious laughter that crammed your entire room.
“Auntie Ela, you have been part of granny’s life mosaic, and he or she cherished you dearly,” Lushan Toney continued. “She didn’t simply consult with you as Ela, however you have been ‘me sista (sister) Ela’. So, because the household’s voice representing our pricey departed grandmother, I wish to convey our collective appreciation and heartfelt tribute to you, her beloved sister, Auntie Ela.”
In a heart-wrenching tribute to the Toney Household, household pal Zita Adams – a member of St. Matthias Charities, Inc., who performed workshops on the Buddies of Crown Heights Instructional Facilities – sang “90 and 9.”
Pastor Cornelius Olive, of Trinity Apostolic Church on Pacific Avenue in Brooklyn, supplied the opening prayer; and Pastor Simeon King, of Brooklyn’s Mission of God Ministries, prayed for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Bishop Merton Cumberbatch, pastor of St. Anthony’s Divine Church of Therapeutic in Flatbush, Brooklyn, preached on “How Vibrant is Your Mild?”, utilizing Matt. 5:13-16 as his textual content.
“[Vaughan Toney] had a coronary heart to offer again,” he preached. “No matter we do, do all of it to the consideration and glory of God. Think about your calling and see how vibrant your gentle is shining.”
Vincentian Singing Evangelist Sis. Clem Bailey, of Considerable Life Christian Church on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, enchanted patrons with gospel hits; and Jamaican gospel artiste, an everyday performer at St. Matthias Charities, Inc’s. fundraising occasions, introduced the home down with a spiritually-uplifting medley of gospel songs.
McBarnett stated proceeds support within the distribution of medical, college and different provides in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
He stated his group’s subsequent mission to his homeland is scheduled for November or early December.
