My 12 Days of Christmas journey was truly rewarding and I finished this afternoon where I began, saying a prayer for my family, friends, those who I met over the past 12 days and all those who are affected by COVID, especially a dear friend who found out yesterday he has it. My “12 Days of Christmas Giving Back Campaign” has brought me a lot of joy and I think delivering turkey dinners with all the trimmings, gravy and dessert is worth more than money can buy as confirmed by my brother Brian’s smile of approval.
My brother Brian can teach us all how we should live our lives, with smiles and love, he is a pro at it and loved his turkey dinner.
I dropped off a turkey dinner with trimmings and dessert for my brother Brian and his roommates. He may have been more interested in the gifts though.
Over the past 9 months I have stopped to say a prayer more times than I can count, sometimes 5:30 am during some times of unrest as I walked my beloved Historic Downtown Troy to look for ways of making a difference or during many afternoons when I would take a walk.
These guys go out of their way to do a job that many wouldn’t or couldn’t and as you can see by my new friend, he does it with a smile. I have always tried to do something for these guys as a way of saying thank you. Today I was able to do something in my own way for him and his two buddies.
My second trip to grab cash as I gave away the first stash. Great Americans like Franklin, Jackson, Hamilton, Lincoln, and Washington deserve to keep their spirits alive so I tried my best to keep them in circulation by searching for those who I felt could use it.
I saw this fine gentleman often when I stopped to say a prayer as he often sat across the street. Today I walked into Barker Park where I know there are so many with no homes to wake up to on Christmas morning or any other morning. I found about ten ladies and gentlemen who I was able to spread some cheer in my own way and as I was walking away, this new friend not only thanked me many times over, but he told me what car I drove and how it was electric. I went back and sat with him as he was good for my soul.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region does so much for families who are affected with challenges and it breaks your heart but also makes you feel good knowing they are helping. Dr. David Jacobsen is CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
Ronald McDonald House usually has parents of children who are staying at Albany Med but when I visited, there were actually 5 little ones including these two brothers who are adorable.
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York is feeding more folks than ever before and they are truly making a difference by putting food on the table for families who can’t afford to. Not only all the time, but especially during this Covid-19 Time capsule we are living in.
Stewart’s Shops customers and employees who are also partners of Stewarts have raised over $800k that will benefit kids in our community and it will be matched by the Dake Family so we are approaching almost $2m. Today I stopped by the shop in Historic Downtown Troy to help them out.
SNAC Pack Program started a few years ago out of St. Clements Church in Saratoga after Karey and John Trimmings’ daughter brought home a school mate whose family didn’t have enough money to pack a lunch etc… so they started this program and they literally fill up backpacks with food for kids to feel like they fit in. If this doesn’t bring tears to your eyes nothing will and I needed to make a donation.
When I saw this lady start walking towards the store before filling up her tank I asked why, she said she could only afford so much so iI told her I would fill her tank. She went on to say how it was her birthday on Christmas so I guess it was a 2-fer. I have been known to stalk gas stations looking for folks to help out.
The Arc of Rensselaer County helps special people like my two brothers fit in and feel like they belong, whether it be living in the neighborhood, working for the same company or riding the bus together. These folks and the my friends at Living Resources New York are amazing people and being guardians for my brothers for over 40 years, I can’t thank them enough.
Every day I paid it forward, or I should say backwards, paying for the next person’s jolt.
Many have reached out about Ayshawn Davis’s family, the aspiring 11 year old who was taken away from us way too soon on Sept 13. I have gotten to know his family and am doing my best to help them; as you can see they loved their early Christmas dinner. Ayshawn’s mom Latoya and dad Tarence were beaming.
Ayshawn’s dad Tarence with the honor of carving the turkey.
Ayshawn’s mom Latoya wanted me to have a Christmas pic of three of Ayshawn’s four siblings.
Last but not least the best chef in the area, nobody can cook a turkey dinner like Chef Billy Keegan can, his gravy should be bottled. He helped create the dinner which I delivered.
