First-Time Christian Author Sandra Adona-Durham Debuts New Book at Book Signing

Ft Washington, MD. (April 10, 2021)—First-time author and Prince George’s County Native Sandra Adona-Durham has launched her book “From the Gutter to God’s Pulpit,” a story that recounts her challenging journey of loss, heartbreak, betrayal, and redemption. The book illustrates how staying anchored in faith was instrumental in her overcoming tremendous hardships and heartbreak.

The book was debuted at an inspirational event held at The Glow Bar in Clinton, MD on Saturday, April 10. Guests were treated to generous gift bags, a poetry reading by Minister Kimberly Petersen, and a reading of the book by the author.

“I pray my story will inspire others, especially in times such as these, to find hope and strength from living a faith-filled life,” said author Sandra Adona-Durham. “I’m so proud to launch my first book and have plans to release two more books soon.”

The book is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Fans may follow Adona-Durham on Facebook and Twitter.

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Washington Regional Transplant Community: April Is National Donate Life Month
Organ Donation: The Heart of the Matter

Yvette Jefferson is doing her part to raise awareness about the critical importance of organ donation. Years ago, Yvette’s father Junious was in end-stage heart failure and passed away while waiting for a heart transplant. Since her father’s lifesaving gift didn’t come in time, Yvette has become a Donate Life ambassador to encourage others to register to be a donor to save another person’s life.

“I believe in organ donation. If my father had received a new heart, he would probably still be alive today making memories with our family,” said Yvette. “My goal is to educate people in my community about donation, and to let them know they can leave a legacy after death by giving the gift of life to someone else.”

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to encourage people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. Washington Regional Transplant Community (WRTC) is the local non-profit organ procurement organization responsible for facilitating the donation process. Despite the pandemic, WRTC continues to recover and allocate organs from deceased donors if they test negative for COVID-19. WRTC is working with its hospital partners and transplant centers to ensure as many patients receive lifesaving transplants as possible during this unprecedented medical crisis.

Currently, there are more than 107,000 patients on the national transplant waiting list who need a kidney, heart, lungs, pancreas, liver, or intestine. More than 2,000 of those people live locally in the metro D.C. area. There is no medicine or magic pill they can take to live. A transplant is the only cure, and that is why the Donate Life mission must always continue.

One organ, eye and tissue donor could save up to 8 lives and heal 75 patients so one thing people can do to make a difference during the pandemic is to register to be a donor at RegisterMe.org.

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Aisha Braveboy Warns Public to Be Vigilant Against Financial Crimes

By DENISE DOUGLAS
Office of the State’s Attorney, Prince George’s County

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (April 8, 2021)—During a press conference [last Friday] Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy warned the public about falling victim to financial crimes. Her Special Prosecutions Unit is currently prosecuting a number of cases in which victims lost significant amounts of money.

Recently, Amy Solomon, a former treasurer at the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department was indicted for embezzling over $100,000 from that department. From January 1, 2016 to February 28, 2019 she is alleged to have moved money to and from various bank accounts of the Volunteer Fire Department. It is further alleged that Ms. Solomon then wrote checks from the accounts to herself, endorsed them, and cashed them.

In another case, Maria Castro Pico is charged with stealing over $600,000 from her mother-in-law between 2013 to 2019. The defendant is alleged to have stolen cash, personal and real property from the victim.

“It’s important for individuals, businesses and organizations to be aware and keep a good watch over their finances,” said State’s Attorney Braveboy. “Financial crimes really erode the ability to live well and can affect people emotionally and we encourage anyone who has been wronged to step forward so we can seek justice for them.”

Some tips on how businesses and nonprofits can protect their interests are as follows:

• Require more than one person to sign checks

• Establish regular financial reporting requirements to the Board of Directors

• Have independent annual or quarterly audits conducted

• Perform background checks on individuals being hired

• Obtain errors and omissions insurance for all officers and those employees who have access to finances

One of the best ways to protect a vulnerable person, who needs help with financial management is to have a financial caregiver—even if they are a family member or close friend—appointed by the court as a guardian ad litem. This gives the court the ability, to review the financial transactions made on behalf of the vulnerable person, at least quarterly.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, http://twitter.com/PGSAONEWS for more news and updates.

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