Giving Back: My Thanksgiving work with The Midnight Mission!

Thanksgiving with The Midnight Mission

Growing up in Florida, my father always taught us to give back to the community, especially during the holidays. For Thanksgiving, we would host a few elderly people who didn’t have family nearby or anywhere to go. During Christmas, we would adopt a family in need and try to make their holiday special by hosting them and buying them gifts and toys. Helping others during the holidays was a family tradition that I wanted to continue into adulthood. My adopted home, Los Angeles, suffers from an epidemic of homelessness; a catastrophe of tens of thousands of people suffering daily. Last year, I discovered The Midnight Mission; a charitable organization dedicated to supporting, housing, and helping to rebuild the lives for those struggling in the streets. In 2018, I organized a Turkey donation drive for the mission in order to help those in need enjoy a Thanksgiving feast that too many of us take for granted. A year ago, my friends and fans helped by donating enough money for 29 turkeys! This year, with the help of my dear friend Alison Barker, we were able to team up and raise enough money to donate 62 turkeys to the mission! The outpouring of support from our community was astounding and the mission was very grateful for the donations!

What Thanksgiving Means to Me

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with loved ones, even though it sometimes cause a fair share of headaches and fights. I think many of us take our loved ones and family for granted and I am no exception. When I see those less fortunate, it reminds me of how lucky I am and how important it is to help those that aren’t as lucky. I have had the good fortune of coming from a wonderful family who taught me that life is not about what we receive but what we give. Now that Thanksgiving is here and the season of giving begins, I want to do even more for my local community as the needy in this city need all the help they can get. From our family to yours, I hope you all have a beautiful Thanksgiving no matter how you celebrate!