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Comment by Brian A. Kane on July 26, 2011 at 6:30am

Please join us for the barbecue.  We are selling rib dinners (for $15 each) to help pay Roxie's substantial medical bills that were not covered by insurance.  There are also other ways that you can help:  simply make a donation, purchase an ad in the Program Book, or volunteer your time on the day of the event.  Help is welcome and needed!  Call 235-2590 extension 12 for more information.

Comment by Brian A. Kane on July 26, 2011 at 6:25am

Thanks for asking Mark.  Roxie was a long-time community leader and staff person of LIFT Rochester (formerly Interfaith Action).  In addition, she was on staff at St. Monica Church on Genesee Street.  She had a very long list of accomplishments.  For example, she created the Peacemaker Community Garden at the corner of Thurston and Chili.  She lead the effort to help redesign Chili Avenue when it was being reconstructed.  She organized the Chili Avenue Business Alliance and later organized the effort that brought nearly $500,000 in imporvements to the business district.  Roxie cared deeply about kids and was a ardent advocate for the Gardiner Recreation Center.  From the first days of the Johnson adminstration, she rallied community members to make sure the center stayed open, served kids well and improved its facilities.

 

Roxie was known and loved by many people.

 

She follwed in the footsteps of her father, Rocky Simmons, a renowned community leader as well.  He was the first African-American deputy sheriff and a organizer of Negro League baseball.

Comment by Mark Sweetland on July 25, 2011 at 10:19pm

Can you give us any background about Roxie Sinkler?  I did not know her.