On Saturday, Nov. 22, basketball icon and business baron Ervin “Magic” Johnson joined to Bishop Edgar Vann at Second Ebenezer church to provide coats and food to more than 400 local children and families. Johnson was in Detroit to accept Legacy in Motion honors from the Michigan Chronicle recognizing his exemplary service to the community and the nation.
The Magic Johnson Foundation and volunteers from Michigan State University, Omega Psi Phi, and community neighborhoods passed out coats from Souls4Souls, turkeys from Meijers and holiday dinner trimmings donated by Coca-Cola, Sam’s Club, Nestle, Grocery Outlet, Bektrom Foods Inc. and Starkist. Johnson and Vann along with an enthusiastic volunteers loaded the goods into cars for delivery to over Four Thousand pre-indentified families and children who gleefully accepted the gifts.
Throngs of Detroit children spent the day at Second Ebenezer’s distribution site cultivating their artistic sides making arts and crafts, face painting and playing with donated toys from Mattel.
With too many children and families struggling to put together a decent Thanksgiving day meal in time for the holiday, participants said they were grateful for the assistance and excited that Johnson, a beloved hometown here was there to provide support. “It is a blessing to have supporters like Magic Johnson and the Magic Johnson Foundation here to make this happen for families in need,” said one food recipient.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” added Michigan Chronicle publisher Hiram Jackson, “I was driving over here and the traffic was so backed up, that I thought there was a car accident. But when I arrived [at Second Ebenezer] I realized just how great the need actually is.”
Up Next: Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer Church, Detroit [Video]
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