“This Is the Best Day of My Life!”
By Kristen Hernandez
Pompano Beach – In a collaboration with former Golden Acres resident and rapper Kodak Black, the Kappa League of Pompano Beach and volunteers helped pack grocery bags and turkeys into the back of a U-Haul truck parked in front of Golden Acres Complex, located at 1050 NE 18th Drive in Pompano Beach. The sizzle of grilling hotdogs and hamburgers summoned everyone busy stuffing the remaining bags that were about to be donated to residents of Golden Acres.
Everyone followed the smell of barbecue to where Kappa brother, Chris Robinson, carefully tended to the food. But a dark cloud hovered above. A sudden downpour surprised everyone. A small crowd gathered under a tent while Willie “Jimmy” Johnson, organizer of the Turkey Drive, grabbed the microphone to address the volunteers.
“I’ve been living at Golden Acres for over 30 years and some residents don’t have the funds to visit any Turkey drives,” Johnson said. “Lil Kodie, as we used to call Kodak Black, lived next door to my cousin. We both know what it’s like for these kids who don’t have anything for the holidays. I’m grateful to be able to give back. And seeing those tears of gratitude keeps us coming back every year.”
The brief rain didn’t damper the holiday spirit. Bags of groceries were about ready for disbursement, but volunteer, Senator Perry Thurston, first offered words of gratitude as the rain stopped.
“I’m glad we got to mingle with the volunteers and residents of Golden Acres,” said Senator Thurston. “We started with feeding 50 families and now we’re feeding 200. And it’s because of your donations. Thank you, Kappa brothers, who worked with Kodak Black and his team to make this happen.”
Several members of local charitable organizations helped disburse the groceries, like real estate developers, KCK Konnections, that provides affordable apartments and a representative from Protax Link, a company that provides free tablets and phones to low-income families.
Food wasn’t the only blessing families of Golden Acres received. Brittany Henderson and Brad Edwards, a husband-and-wife attorney team of Edwards Henderson Law arrived with large, black bags stuffed with toys. Their two young sons came along to help.
“Thanksgiving is all about giving. Giving thanks, and family,” said Edwards. “We’re here to give back so families can get together and share food. Some parents can’t afford to buy toys for their kids to open at Christmas. It’s an opportunity for us to come here and enjoy our time together as a family.”
Special Delivery
Kappa League of Pompano Beach volunteers split into teams of two and spread out through the complex, one section at a time. When little Ashton cracked his front door, his young face lit up when he saw the turkey. His mom gratefully accepted the holiday offerings.
“Thank you, this will help us a lot,” said Toya, Ashton’s mom.
Before mom could close the door, Ashton bounded outside to join the children running about the manicured Golden Acres grounds. Edwards handed Ashton a football taken from the bag of toys.
Edwards and Henderson had already emptied the previously full bag, and briefly left to purchase more gifts at a nearby Walmart.
Ashton seemed timid but he took a liking to that football. “I’m already great at this,” Ashton said, 6as he tossed the football to Edwards.
As the group started to move on to another section of the complex, little Ashton tried to give the football back. “No honey, that’s yours,” Henderson said.
When Ashton realized the football was now his, his smile lit up the already sunny day. “This is the best day of my life!”
There was little doubt that the collaboration between Kappa League Pompano Beach, the dozens of volunteers, Kodak Black’s team, Senator Thurston, and everyone else who joined in the giving had a lasting, positive effect on Golden Acres families for the holiday season.
