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To the editor:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! There are no other words to express our appreciation of your attention and attendance to the “Quantez Russell Scholarship Fund Luncheon.”

We were extremely excited to see so many city officials, Suffolk constitutional officers, family, friends, supporters, prayer partners and especially, the mothers and families who are tired of the violence that our city has seen and that we have suffered in our personal lives. This event was so bittersweet to honor those who have lost their lives to violence or those like my son, Quantez Russell, who is missing “mysteriously” because of possible gang violence.

Because of each person attending on Feb. 22, we are hoping that the family will continue to give to youth within Suffolk Public Schools who fill out the application completely and write a 300-word essay on “How to Eradicate or Stop Youth & Gang Violence in the City of Suffolk.” Even though Quantez attended Lakeland High School, his family would like to see other Suffolk students be able to further their education after high school. This scholarship will go to those who are continuing their educational studies in any two- or four-year college or university. We are praying that the students who receive the scholarship will not have to worry about the cost of higher education.

Our family wants all to know that the monies given on behalf of this scholarship fund will go directly to the school where the scholarship recipient has matriculated. The cashier’s check will be made out to the school, on behalf of the student, to be placed in their account. Because of each of you, we know this will be a very successful start to an annual scholarship fundraising in honor of my son, Quantez DeMont Russell.

Everyone continues to show us love, care and concern for what our family is going through. Through your support, you are helping us spread awareness of how guns, drugs and gang life impact not only the person involved, but as in our case, the negative impact it has had on our family and friends.

We continue as a family to hope and pray that the information that we continue to share is not only educational but also will bring awareness to the community on guns, drugs and gang violence, and we as a community can help stop and eradicate it!

Again, thank you so much for your continued prayers, concerns and care for not just our family but for all citizens within this great city. We, the family of Quantez D. Russell, truly appreciate you in all that you do to make this “Quantez Russell Scholarship Fund” and luncheon a very successful one.

Joan R. Turner and family of Quantez D. Russell, missing since Nov. 11, 2015