Christmas is less than a week away!
While we’re busy getting those gifts for the people we love, it’s always good to remember those less fortunate.
DJ Mannie Fresh is just one of the community leaders teaming up to give the children of New Orleans a little extra this year by filling an entire U-Haul with toys. The idea started as a way to continue the legacy of his sister, Angela Thomas, after she was murdered 11 years ago.
“She used to do this on a smaller scale before her death,” said Kevin Griffin-Clark, owner of NOLA Lapel Pins and Fresh’s nephew. “She would collect a lot of toys and give them out to the kids in the neighborhood in the 7th Ward where they grew up at.”
Griffin-Clark said the drive is a way to honor his aunt and keep her memory alive. He’ll be teaming up with We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp, Peaches Records, Studio Be and his uncle, to bring the U-Haul to different locations across the city.
The final donation location will be at The Maison on Saturday, Dec. 22, where Mannie Fresh will be hosting his annual ugly sweater Christmas party.
“We’re from New Orleans, and we want to give the kids something else to look forward to,” said Griffin-Clark. “We understand that we’re fortunate to have something for Christmas. We wanted to not just give back but encourage the citizens to give back because we understand that a lot of kids and families are in need and it’s really proven around this time.”
