‘Still a Mother’ gift boxes recognize NYC mothers grieving slain children
With each of the boxes comes a sense of comfort for mothers still grieving.
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While families everywhere were out celebrating Mother's Day, one Brooklyn family was making sure moms who have lost their children to gun violence are not forgotten.
For the seventh straight year, the Melquan Jatelle Anderson Foundation delivered their “Still a Mother” gift boxes.
MJAF started back in 2018, a year after Michelle Barnes Anderson lost her son, Melquain, to gun violence.
"We wanted to make sure that we remind my sister… that she was still a mother and will always forever be a mother,” said Dr. Xenia Barnes, co-founder of MJAF.
The gift boxes are also a tribute to the legacy Melquain leaves behind.
"The box is full of relaxation,” said Giovanni Barnes, the community affairs director. “We have wine, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels....journals to reflect."
With each of the boxes comes a sense of comfort for mothers still grieving. The goal – to eventually give away something that can't always fit inside it.
“We do want to move forward with more donations to give mothers a spa day or personalized pendants with their child's name," said Barnes.
This year, around 75 mothers across all boroughs will received gift boxes hand delivered.
"The sky has caring eyes and this gift is a token of love,” said Dr. Xenia Barnes. “Hope, and a reminder that no matter how big the day may feel… there's still people out here who care."
