It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas when we visited with this week’s Face of Northeast, Beverly Martinez.

Beverly is a long-time resident of Northeast, attended Scarritt Elementary, Northeast Junior and Senior High School. She recalls hanging out at the Smaks burger restaurant after school and buying Cokes for Kendall Kohr.
Those memories of Northeast sealed where she wanted to live when she returned to Kansas City in 1996, after living in Arizona for nine years.

“Northeast is family,” she explained. “When you read posts on Facebook that someone needs something, there’s always someone who steps up to help. Everybody watches out for everybody.”

Her adult son lives just around the corner, and she watches out for some of the homeless and those in need of assistance through her involvement with Calvary Temple Church’s food pantry.

As for her Christmas decorations, she likes to add something new every year.

“I remember there were always decorated houses when I was growing up, and now it’s my turn,” Beverly said. “We did have a very nice LED snowman stolen right off our porch last year, but I’m not going to stop decorating because of that. We enjoy sharing the joy of the holiday.”