Prince of Peace Villa enjoys farmers market

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

“Faith, hope and charity … and dreams.”

That’s what Mary Barrs says keeps her going. At age 73, and running a charitable organization for children and the elderly since 1990, she’s still dreaming of new ways to help with clothing and food.

Genesis Robinson, who volunteers with her mother, Shakara, gets the bath supplies table ready with Mary Barrs, event organizer. Towels, wash cloths and soap were included. Photos by Wayne Grant

She recently paid a visit to Prince of Peace Villas, an independent living facility at Prince of Peace Catholic Church on Nova Road, bringing along a free farmers market. Produce was donated by Publix, and she and a half-dozen volunteers handed it out in honor of Father’s Day, along with bathroom supplies that were donated by individuals. Barrs said it was also for Mother’s Day, because she had planned to do it in May but had to reschedule.

The Daytona Beach woman is known for the variety of events run by her organization, God’s Little Angels. She has filled Easter baskets for children. On holidays, she is often serving meals and giving away clothing. She has visited widows and widowers on Valentine’s Day.

Her latest dream is to provide shoes for children in a back-to-school project. She’s looking for merchants to provide the shoes, and she can be reached at 253-5349.

Volunteer Tony Mitchell hands a bag of produce to Janna Shamlaty.

“I have a vision and it becomes a reality,” she said of her many activities. “Right now I’m watching three more dreams.”

She won’t talk about them until she works out the details.

“That’s the way a dream can come true,” she said.

Her guiding principal is to “take all obstacles and turn them into opportunities.”

Revella Ortiz, of Ormond Beach, was at the event at Prince of Peace as a volunteer for the first time. She said after meeting Barrs, she found her hard work to be infectious.

“She’s got a heart this big,” she said, spreading her hands out. “You just want to help.”

Volunteer Tony Mitchell called her a good-hearted person.

“I like being around her,” he said.

Residents filled the meeting room where the “farmer’s market” was held, and cleaned the fruits and vegetables off the tables.

Marty, a resident who didn’t want to give her last name, said she always comes to the farmer’s market, and Barr has had three since she has lived there.

“It’s a nice, nice gesture,” she said.

Call Barrs at 253-5349.