We were able to service over 150 individuals over three days. In case you missed it, we fed folks a hot turkey and ham dinner with all of the trimmings at the Masonic Lodge in San Bernardino, also while we were there we gave out toys, blankets, and can openers to the needy adults and Children. Not only did you find Sigmas and Zetas doing good work, but we had Soror Gwen’s son, James Jr., helping out, an we had Soror Maleka’s oldest daughter working very hard with the toy drive. I’d like to thank Brothers Phil Hubbard, Jermaine Rogers, Laron Hall,and J. Brown(all the way from the Bay Area) for helping with the toys and food set up. Soror’s Gwen and Maleka did everything from unloading food from cars, to serving, to handing out gifts, and even participating in Line Dancing. Did I forget to mention Brother Phil “The Thrill” Hubbard taught a Line dancing class in the parking lot of the lodge? The brothers and sister from the Lodge along with a couple of folks there to receive gifts really enjoyed the dancing. The day was going so well that Tanya Blaylock and Lloyd Smith of P.A.C.K. noticed the toys were running low and went over to Wal Mart on the spare of the moment and returned with about 40 more toys to hand out. The kids were loving it!
Saturday evening we found ourselves delivering toys to one of our needy families. John Iszard and his youngest son Anthony joined us as we made a family really happy with a ton of gifts. Young Anthony Iszard used his very own Toys R Us gift card to help purchase a young man a scooter along with other gifts. Thanks to Laron Hall and Home team Appraisal for the big donation, the kids were hooked up. Deshae Donahue (one of my mortgage lenders) along with her two daughters also delivered lots of toys and clothes to this family. We ended the night delivering a hefty ball full of toys to the riverside Foster Agency that was recommended by Soror Chantell. The agency was extremely grateful, and we talked about setting up an Easter egg hunt next year for the 32 foster children under their care 9 we can make that happen)
Christmas morning we were back out delivering toys to a need family with Tanya Blaylock of P.A.C.K., which had bags of toys and clothes for our Riverside family. I later joined Brother Phil Hubbard in San Bernardino, where we passed out new Adidas shoes and shirts (Phil did it big time) to homeless people who were in the park and resting outside of the library. We also canvassed downtown S.B. and passed out additional clothing and shoes. We then went to the Salvation Army, where about 75 people had come to get gifts, and we passed out more shoes and clothes.
Next we went to a shelter for women and passed out branch new winter coats to each woman ( I told you Phil does it big) and Mary Kay and Jafra cosmetics and make up to the ladies. The day ended at 3 pm with making the last delivery of about 50 toys (good thing for Steve and Tanyika Walker, Gwen’s and P.A.C.K.’s donation) to the family of 7 kids.
We did a phenomenal job team!!! Each year we can improve and make a bigger impact on the lives of the less fortunate. Remember that giving your time is just as valuable as giving monetary gifts. If we can get this Easter Egg hunt going come on out and lend an helping hand even if you can’t give money. It will allow you to help your fellow man, and that is what we are suppose to be about.