By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Anthony King remembers some slim Christmas seasons growing up in Detroit. So when he noticed all the children of color playing at the HUD subsidized rental housing in Bowling Green, he wanted to make sure their holidays were full.
So King – the founder of Black Rights Activism, Visibility and Equity in Bowling Green – pulled together some local businesses and organizations to fill stomachs, freshen haircuts, and put toys under the Christmas trees for those living at Amherst Village Apartments.
The event will be held Sunday, Dec. 19, from 3 to 5 p.m., in and near the apartment complex community room at 1520 Clough St.
“We are going to the community and serving them,” King said. “I grew up low income, and I know what it’s like. My heart behind this is to bless those kids.”
The event will feature free food from TriggaMeals – with owner DeAnte Shivers setting up a buffet of chicken, macaroni and cheese, and baked beans.
“If there’s no turn out, we’ll go door-to-door with the food,” King said.
Inside the Amherst community room, Damare Johnson, of Beyond Blends Hair Studio, will be giving free haircuts to boys and girls.
“I remember as a child, haircuts in the Black community are a staple,” King said. “I wanted to provide that for the community.”
A “gift shop” of donated toys, plus hygiene products and canned foods will be available for families. And there will be a Black Santa to greet children.
“Everything will be free, with no strings attached,” King said.
The event is for residents of Amherst, which has 100 apartments for families with children, and for other low income families in the Bowling Green community.
Community members are being asked to drop off donated toys, hygiene products and canned foods at Amherst on Sunday between 1:30 and 3 p.m.
The recipients are to be lower income families, “but the rest of the community can participate by giving,” King said.
In addition to TriggaMeals, Beyond Blends and BRAVE, Brookside Church will also be assisting with the event.
“BRAVE is grateful for the partnerships,” King said. “It’s really powerful for me to see the community wanting to give back.”
There will also be activities for children, including games, coloring, holiday music, and photos with Santa.
King’s goal is to make each child feel as loved as he did as a child during Christmas seasons.
“I really remember the feeling of love and being complete,” he said. “I really want to make it easier for those families to have a similar type feeling.”
