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CrossRoadsNews
Holiday
“I’m so happy to see people from everywhere come in to help these families. It just brings me tears.” Children and their families received toys and other gifts and were treated to hot meals and storytelling at the Dec. 10 Christmas Extravaganza in Decatur.
Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Toys bring joy to needy kids By Carla Parker
Sounds of laughter and cheer were aplenty as nearly 90 children received toys from the Christmas Extravaganza on Dec. 10 at the Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. The family of Rasanna Duboes of Decatur was one of 20 blessed with gifts. Duboes said she was pleased to see the expressions on the faces of her six children. “It makes me happy to see them smile.” The annual event co-hosted by Gratitude With Attitude, the Infusion Inc., and Right From the Start Medicaid Outreach Project was in its second year. The groups bought about 600 toys and treated the kids and their families to storytelling, hot meals and other gifts. Parents received information about health insurance from Peach State Health Plan and Amerigroup, dental information from Kool Smiles, and holiday fire safety tips from the DeKalb Fire Department. Erica Humphries, who lives in Atlanta,
December 17, 2011
said she was very thankful for the toys that her four children received. “This event helped us out a lot,” she said. Humphries was there with her mother, Annette. She said she has been unemployed and times have been hard. “I’m trying to work toward starting my own catering business, but it’s hard to find the funds without a job,” she said. “If I can find someone to help me out, I’ll be very appreciative and then I’ll be able to give back like they are doing here.” Connie Wallace, founder of Decaturbased Gratitude With Attitude, which serves the homeless and underserved, said some families were selected from the Columbia High Thanksgiving Dinner. Others were referred by Right From the Start. The groups got help from Commissioner Larry Johnson, the Holiday Inn, Home Depot and other organizations. “I’m so happy to see people from everywhere come in to help these families,” Wallace said. “It just brings me tears.”
‘Dream Big’ at Lithonia Walmart Young Atlanta singers Key Swag, Cymia Telleria, the Sh’boss Boys and DJ Kidd Koby Roc will perform Saturday at the Fairington Road Walmart in Lithonia. The “Dream Big” The Sh’boss Boys and Key Swag will perform at Walmart on Dec. 17. holiday celebration for tweens, teens and Robinson of “The Tempta“in-betweens” will tions,” “The Five Heartbeats” take place Dec. 17 at and BET. 2 p.m. During the event, DreamIt will mark the Kids will showcase its new Oldebut performance ive Miracle formula hair care of the new Dreamcollection for children. Kids single “Dream Part of the proceeds will Big” by Noelle Rob- Cymia Telleria benefit the “Dream Big” DJ Kidd Koby Roc inson, daughter of DreamKids youth initiative. For supermodel Cynthia Bailey of “The Real more information, visit http://dreamkidsholi Housewives of Atlanta” and actor Leon daycelebration.eventbrite.com.
‘Touch of Red & White’ to raise toys R&B singer Howard Hewett will headline Commissioner Stan Watson’s annual “Touch of Red & White” Christmas Celebration on Dec. 18 at the Community Achievement Center in Decatur. Kiss 104’s Sasha the Howard Hewett Diva is mistress of ceremony for the 8 p.m.-to-midnight event. The annual celebration raises toys for children who attend the YMCA Academy of South DeKalb. Admission is a new unwrapped toy or a donation of $25 payable
to the DeKalb Legislative Community Cabinet. Hewett is a former lead vocalist of Shalamar. When the group broke up in the mid-1980s, he went on to pursue a solo career. His recordings include “I Commit to Love,” an Sasha the Diva urban album that yielded R&B hits “I’m for Real” and “Stay,” and “Howard Hewett Christmas.” The center is at 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway. To R.S.V.P., e-mail goteamwatson@gmail .com.