G-Unit Xmas Story

"Welcome to the G-Unit store!" exclaimed Tony Yayo as he, Lloyd Banks and 50 Cent distributed brand new shirts, hats, pants and kicks to some of New York's most vulnerable citizens - it's steadily growing impoverished populataion. "See Buck couldn't be here, he's home in Nashville for the Holidays, but we?re all from New York so it?s only right for us to be here,? explained Banks as he humbly smiled at the women, children, men and families who flocked to Manhattan?s Bowery Mission on December 23rd seeking a moment of comfort. ?The main thing is to let other people see, especially those in a good financial situation, to come out and show your influence. Maybe other artists will see it?s not just about drinking your champagne and wearing jewelry all the time; it?s a bigger purpose in everything.? ImageThe second annual Christmas clothing drive, organized by the Book Bank Foundation (BBF) ? a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating illiteracy - teamed up with longtime supporter Josh Evans from the NY Jets, and this year with the G-Unit crew to bring light to an ongoing crisis in our nation. ?We do this every year,? explained BBF supporter, the legendary Daddy-O. ?We try to get more involved with people in the industry for years, dealing with corporate sponsors, but it?s good to have G-Unit here today so we can show a different side of giving back. See with the kids, it?s important cause this is their heroes.? ?You have to understand that it?s not just the homeless that are here,? pointed out Eric Odera, BBF board member and celebrity personal trainer. ?There are struggling families who missed maybe 3 or 4 paychecks and don?t have any financial support that need help as well.? As 50, Banks and Yayo continued smiling and greeting the hundreds gathering at the Bowery Mission, they were joined by other industry folk throughout the afternoon such as Swizzbeatz and hip-hop?s boxing champ Zab Juddah. With clothing donated from Akademics, Ecko, Touch Base, Sean John, G-Unit and the NY Jets to name a few, the second annual BBF Christmas drive may have sparked the right momentum to solidify the event for many years to come. ?There are a lot of people out there that are not as fortunate as we all are for Christmas and the New Year,? explained Yayo in a somewhat somber tone. ?I?ve had bad Christmas? too, so I know how it feels.? ?To be able to give out clothes, hats, sneakers and stuff like that, it?s a good feeling cause I was raised by a single female parent,? echoed Banks. ?When I see all the young ladies walking out there with 2 or 3 kids, it?s a little disturbing from me . . . (pauses to take a breath) . . . it?s crazy . . . I try to do as much as I can, day by day. This is the first year we did this particular clothing drive, but I?m pretty sure it?s going to be an annual thing for us.? ?I?m excited at any opportunity to give back to the community to come support positive people and be positive,? explained 50 as he greeted the press. ?That?s basically why I decided to do this.? The Christmas clothing drive took place from 11 AM to 3 PM, but the initial kick off began as early as October 27th as BBF founder Glenn Toby held a fundraising dinner in an effort to drum up support for the holiday event. During that banquet an estimated $100,000 was raised to supplement the plethora of clothing and toys donated by numerous companies. And on the 23rd, attendees at the Bowery Mission partook in a holiday feast as they ?shopped? at no cost for over-the-counter medicine and garments. ?If you look at the situation, we have a few days off right now and if I wasn?t here, I would just be home doing nothing, wasting time,? said Banks. ?I think my presence, influence here for all the kids out there - even if I can?t change their situation as far as financially, maybe I could change it emotionally ? maybe just for today. Even if I can?t change tomorrow, what goes on in their lives tomorrow, we could be here today and see them happy . . . I try at least once a month and trade a large amount of money for singles and throw it all away because at the end of the day I don?t feel like I lost something, because God gives back in mysterious ways.? In a country where the gap between the rich and poor is continuously widening, and in a city where 50% of the black male population is unemployed, it?s nice to see three young successful black men paying homage to their breadren. Words: Nida Khan Photos: Johnny Nunez

 

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