Three citizens honored for service as community gathers to honor the spirit and legacy of Dr. King
OCEAN CITY — Three city residents who embody the spirit and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were honored during a ceremony Monday, Jan. 17, at the Ocean City Music Pier.
The Rev. Drena Garrett of St. James AME Church, Michael Hartman of the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company and Bill McGinnity of OCNJ CARE each was presented with the city’s Martin Luther King Community Services Award.
“This day is a celebration of people who belong to the club called ‘The Firsts,’” said the Rev. Marcia Stanford, pastor of Macedonia United Methodist Church and chaplain at The Shores, who delivered the welcome speech. “They were the first at the lunch counter, they were the first at the buses, they were the first on the fire engines, they were the first on police forces, they were the first working in operating rooms, they were the first to attend university, they were the first in classrooms, they were the first to work at the bank, they were the first to sit at the table in corporate America board rooms, they were the first to work in the national space program as mathematicians and astronauts, first to the high ranks in the military, individuals who dared to be first and endured through their courage, dignity and discipline,” she continued.
Stanford said King believed there is a great power in discovering the good in fellow human beings.
“We have an opportunity to realize the power of understanding each other. The power of giving grace and mercy like we receive every day from our lord and savior, to extend that grace and mercy to our fellow men,” she said. “Each day and every day we have the opportunity to recognize and understand that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and it starts from fighting within our hearts.”
She mentioned the passing Sunday of Josephus Pratt, an island resident who would have been at the service volunteering.
“This was a man who served his country, he served his community but first and foremost, he served his God,” Stanford said, noting he was the nephew of Edwin T. Pratt, a civil rights leader in Seattle who was assassinated on his doorstep in 1969.
“So, it’s in his DNA to serve his country, to serve his people and to serve Ocean City as part of his life,” Stanford said, calling for a moment of silence.
Jonathan Gonzalez, director of Youth Ministries at Ocean City Tabernacle, delivered the invocation.
Winners of the Ocean City Intermediate School essay contest also took part, with Nolan Arceo, Sydney Halliday, Sarah McAlister and Borana Bixha reading their essays before the gathered assembly.
Mayor Jay Gillian introduced the award recipients.
“Each year we give out a community service award to people who represent the ideals of Dr. King. The award goes to volunteers who serve the people and the community of Ocean City,” Gillian said. “I’ve always been proud of the fact that we can take care of our own here in Ocean City. These awards represent the best of who we are.”
The first recipient could not attend so the mayor visited her at her home Friday.
“Drena Garrett lives her faith every day. She shares the word of God through her ministry at St. James,” Gillian said. “Her church and all the others in town are the rocks of our community. They play a vital role in raising our children and taking care of own and serving the needs of all.
“Drena has been an important part of this ceremony over the years, as a pastor she has offered invocation. Most importantly she has shared her talents at preparing soul food that we all have enjoyed. She is a pleasure to work with and has a kind word for everybody.”
Gilliam said hundreds of Ocean City kids have participated in Greater Ocean City Theatre events since 2008.
“One man’s time, energy and vision have created a safe space for all youth to grow and gain confidence,” Gillian said.
Hartman said is was “humbling to have my name associated with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
“I accept this award on behalf of the students, staff, board members, performers, volunteers and fans that make up the Ocean City Theatre Company family,” Hartman said. “OCTC is just that, a place where all walks of life come together and grow, explore and create.
He said he established the OCTC on the power of respect, trust and acceptance.
“When these three things come together in the rehearsal space, people feel safe to achieve greatness and the magic of theater takes over. The magic eventually flows from the stage and into the audience, aiming to inspire a thriving theater arts experience right here in America’s Greatest Family Resort,” Hartman said.
“As executive director and founder of the theater company, I have always focused on providing a safe place for kids and even adults to grow as artists and people. A place where the stage lights of life shine bright on the power of love and the darkness of hate and division have no place on our stage.”
After discussing the struggles that he endured growing up gay, he challenged the community to embrace King’s ideals 365 days a year.
“If this is truly America’s Greatest Family Resort, we should embrace and celebrate all the different types of families that make up this great country,” Hartman said.
Gillian said McGinnity, who is a partner in Cousins restaurant and Nobil Food Services, “gives his time, effort and heart helping ocean city residents in need. Bill has a sense of community that would make Martin Luther King Jr. proud.”
Through his work with OCNJ CARE, McGinnity prepares and helps deliver holiday meals for Wesley by the Bay and Housing Authority residents and assists the VFW and American Legion with weekly meal deliveries to veterans, shut-ins and others in need.
“Ocean City can always count on him to be the first one to step up and assist local people. He is really deserving of this honor,” Gillian said.
McGinnity noted that like Hartman, he left the area but returned.
“The reason I’m back here is because this is the best community I have ever seen or been a part of it,” McGinnity said. “What I do and why I do it is for the good of the people in this community. It’s about the unity that Ocean City has provided to everybody for a very long time.
“I appreciate everybody that put me in the same conversation as others who received an award today and I will continue to do what I do for the community because I truly love it,” McGinnity said.
One of the highlights of the event is always the Rev. Gregory Johnson’s commentary on King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church did not disappoint.
Using his booming voice, he said we as a people have mountains to climb and tears to shed in 2022.
“It was once said that it’s not how long you live but how honest you’ve been while living. 59 years ago, Dr. King gave a speech in Washington, D.C., saying when we try to right wrongs we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. We must conduct the struggle on the high plain of dignity and respect,” Johnson said.
“King reminded us that even though we have differences, he dreamed that one day his four children will live in a nation where they are judge not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” he continued. “If America is to be a great nation this must happen. Let freedom ring from every mountainside.”
He pondered what King would think of America today and whether the dream still lives on.
“I have tears in my eyes about how the country has been divided, black and whites can’t get along,” Johnson suggested King would say.
Leon Hart and daughters Lexi and Gabrielle provided beautiful musical selections for the audience at the Music Pier.
Earlier in the day, volunteers joined others nationwide in a Day of Service to honor King’s contributions with a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon.
– STORY By CRAIG D. SCHENCK, PHOTOS By DAVID NAHAN, Sentinel staff
