Rapper 2 Chainz' Trap House was rather busy over the weekend, but not just because of tourists. His organization, the T.R.U Foundation alongside the Emerging 100 of Atlanta partnered on Saturday to give back in more ways than one-- to help children and the homeless in metro Atlanta.
With the help of dozens of volunteers, the two organizations came together to make 1,000 lunch bags for the homeless and collect more than 300 hundred toys for children. The event took place outside Atlanta rapper 2Chainz' pink Winter Wonderland Trap House, at 1740 Defoor Place, which is the Street Execs Studios.
Volunteers worked in an assembly line fashion sharing laughs and sipping hot chocolate. The event began with each volunteer writing words of happiness and holida phrases on the lunch bags. The bags consisted of sandwiches, chips, fruit snacks, pretzels and other items. The lunch bags were then taken to homeless agencies throughout Atlanta which included Ebenezer Baptist Church, Safehouse Out Reach, Atlanta Mission: The Shepherd’s Inn and Baptist Mission.
Emerging 100 of Atlanta Community Service Chair, Ellaway D. Amiker IV, orchestrated the event. He says this project is just one of the many ways to bring people together for a great cause. "Keep in mind these are strangers becoming friends for volunteering. They're giving back to a city that they love a lot."
Just a few yards away were hundreds of unwrapped gifts under a huge Christmas tree. The toys ranged from Barbie dream houses to super hero figurines. Volunteers including members from the professional basketball team, the Atlanta Dream, also dropped off dozens of red goody bags filled with toys. Taylor Edwards with the T.R.U Foundation told 11Alive why they chose to also have a toy drive.
"The toys are very important to the T.R.U Foundation because all the toys that we collect will be for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Hughes Spalding." She continued with excitement and revealed the new partnership. "We are very excited to announce that we have plans to adopt a Tru Foundation play room at the new Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Huges Spalding location."
Emerging 100 Communications Chair, Kyle Walcott, told 11Alive this isn't the first time the organization has worked with the rapper. "Last year at our Emerging Leaders Awards & Scholarship Gala, we were able to honor him as a trailblazer in the community," said Walcott.
He continued and saying the rapper’s passion to give back has always made him stand out in the community and that passion aligns with the mission of their organization. "We felt it was very intentional to make sure that we work alongside him and his foundation to give back during this holiday season."
Amiker says Emerging 100 of Atlanta will continue to be one of the most active community empowerment groups in the city and he challenges any and everyone to do their part. "What we're doing today is an amazing impact in the city but there's always more to do so we are challenging each person to make a difference every day that they go out."
The T.R.U. Foundation's mission is to fight against poverty, dismal education, and domestic violence. They also have a daycare in Southside Atlanta for young children.
If you want to help donate, visit http://emerging100atl.org/ and http://www.tru-foundation.org
