Irene the example you have set for finding accepting and fulfilling your purpose in life....is truly special. You are family, friend, sister, mentor , and a true Queen. How blessed it is to worship with you, and be your friend while you minister to so many others who thirst for what you have to share............Ptah Hotep said it best......5,500 years ago...

If though be amoung the people, make for thyself love the beginning and end of the heart". In love and through love all things become possible.
Love is the Light on the path that leads from the beginning of the earth life, the experience life, towards Conscious Individualization, the Immortalization of the Soul, the life eternal....your Cut,
Phyllis M

Thank you Irene for spear heading a historic event. Donald Finnegan Playground, located at 30th & Wharton Streets in South Philadelphia hosted a forum on the importance of community service on January 19, 2004 for the Martin Luther King Day of Service. For more information please contact Irene Russell @ 215-685-1896

It was a success approx. 200 persons young and old attended. The press took photos and will publish a article this week.

The attendees represented a cross section of the community, ministers, parents, professional, community groups and the family of the man that had the vision.

The Late Donald Finnegan was represented by grandchildren, brothers, sisters and friends and well wishers.

This is a historic event, many people know of the tensions that once shock the Phila Grays Ferry section of the city. However Irene Russell, longtime community activist, recreation specialist, her staff and advisory board have worked very long and hard to over come this issue.

People of all races , creeds and colors participated. The children won door prizes and the family presented the recreation center with a library. This brought tears to my eyes. People travelled from as far away as Virginia to be present at this special event. MLK would have proud to see his mission come alive today in the Grays Ferry section of, South Phila. MLK would be proud, thanks Nilaja

Ms. Irene Russell is a person who is on a mission for God. Her mission involves our children and their growth. She never will take the credit for the action but rather just see positive things happening around her just because she is there making things work. She is the kind of person who can make things happen with nothing, in other words, she will use what she does not have and make a feast from a few fish and a loaf of bread. This I know in the little bit of time I experience the love, her children truly LOVE her, because she is lovable. She is always on the go, she doesn't know how to stop or what stop is. Her life is wrapped around the life of the community in which she lives and the community is wrapped around Irene. Such a wonderful love affair, with wonderful people involved.
She is truly a DEED SETTER, good deeds that is. Irene continues to let your life and light shine.

Special Someone
For the reason as you know I will call this person, Just as she is.
To one of the dearest people I have ever known. Teacher
I had this Teacher when I was in sixth grade, She saw something in me
for why I will never know. She spent her lunch breaks with me, To show
she belived in me.
For I never had a Teacher who cared as she. We work very hard my Teacher
and I. For I need to learn, where I did not learn before. This Teacher
I have told before, If it had not been for you. Only time would have
known what would have become of me. For you I would love to say.
May you always have the joy in your life, As a Teacher you have done
Miracles for so many. May you always have a smile to brighten even your
darkest day, May you always understand, That your life has meant so much
to so many. I am proud to still call you my Teacher. May the Good Lord
bless you always, My Special Teacher, And Friend I will never forget what
you have done for me. You have made me see that no child is alone in this
world we call home.
Irene , this is for you! When I visited your program this poem came to mind!
Bob