​​The Peekskill Youth Bureau is hosting its 4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition on Tuesday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m. This year’s event will recognize Basil Kazepis and Westchester Cars & Coffee. Judah Jones and Kadin Sales will be presented with the Darryl Francis Youth Award. The event will be held at the Youth Bureau, located at 828 Main Street.

In identifying men who have who have made a difference and went above and beyond to serve their community, the Youth Bureau holds Dr. King’s words as the gold standard: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”

“Basil Kazepis and Westchester Cars & Coffee have been organizing a toy drive and a Thanksgiving food drive for the past three years, for the Peekskill Youth Bureau, making a significant impact on the local community. Through their toy drive, they have collected and distributed hundreds of toys to children in need, bringing joy and smiles during the holiday season. Their Thanksgiving food drive has helped provide meals to families in need, ensuring that they have a warm and nutritious meal on this special day,” noted Youth Bureau Executive Director Tuesday McDonald. For the past three years, Kazepis and the Cars & Coffee group have donated all of the food and toys to the Peekskill Youth Bureau, which in turn, distributes the toys and food to local youths and families. 

McDonald also said, “The impact of these initiatives extends beyond the immediate recipients. The dedication and passion demonstrated by Westchester Cars and Coffee in organizing these drives … have made a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families, embodying the spirit of compassion and generosity that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated for… Together, we can create a brighter future for all.”

At the 2023 Cars and Coffee toy drive, Kazepis had a fully restored 1957 Chevrolet school bus. The goal was to fill the bus with toys; not only did they succeed in that endeavor, the bus was overflowing with toys. 

The Youth Bureau will also recognize two outstanding young men: Judah Jones and Kadin Sales, recipients of the Darryl Francis Youth Award. Jones graduated from Peekskill High School in 2023. Recently, Sales was honored by the African American Men of Westchester in recognition of his work combating community violence. 

The Darryl Francis award was created by the Executive Director in 2020 for his longevity to the Peekskill Youth Bureau.

For more information about this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition event, contact the Youth Bureau Executive Director Tuesday Paige McDonald at (914) 734-4149 or email [email protected].

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