About Our Organization

Our Story

It all started on a Christmas Eve in Wilmer, Alabama. I went to deliver a small gift to a friend of my son – a $5 wrestler toy. When I arrived, I was heartbroken by what I saw. The children were so excited to receive the toy, but their home had nothing in it but a dirt-filled bucket with a stick and tassels as their makeshift Christmas tree. They had no furniture, just one mattress on the floor.

I couldn’t stop thinking about those children during the holidays. People kept telling me, “You can’t save the world.” My response was always the same, “I’m not trying to save the world, but we have to do something.” I couldn’t stand the idea of children waking up on Christmas morning with nothing.

After Christmas, I gathered a group of local teenagers, many of whom had also gone without gifts. We baked cookies, held car washes, and saved every penny we could throughout the year. By the next Christmas, we were able to give gifts to every child we knew who needed one.

From there, things grew. Soon, I was receiving calls from families needing school uniforms, school supplies, and even haircuts for their children. I reached out to local churches for donations and organized an event at the community center to distribute school supplies and provide free haircuts.

Then, we turned our attention to mothers. We started offering GED classes to help them gain an education and better their lives. Our goal was always to provide more than just material items—we wanted to give people hope, confidence, and dignity.

One day, I heard about two young girls who were labeled “bad.” But I don’t believe in “bad children,” only hurt ones. They were from a tough background; their mother was in prison, and their father struggled with alcoholism. They felt unloved, ashamed, and unworthy.

That’s when I had the idea for the "I Am Beautiful" event. We rented the community center, and with the help of local churches and beauticians, we created a day of pampering for women and girls. Beauticians cut hair, volunteers did makeup and nails, and we provided new designer clothes, shoes, and purses. It was an incredible day. I’ll never forget how one of those "bad" girls even donated her long hair to Locks of Love that night.

Over the years, the event grew, and we began offering it to men as well. What started as a day for people to receive, turned into a community event where those who once took, came back to give. The joy and confidence we saw on the faces of those who attended is what keeps us going.

A New Chapter

For years, we rented or borrowed spaces to host these events. Now, we finally have our own building, which will allow us to continue this important work on an even bigger scale. We plan to resume our annual events for women, men, and children, offering not only material help but a sense of belonging and self-worth.

Through every challenge, we have been driven by the belief that no one is beyond hope. By showing kindness without judgment, we’ve helped people feel seen, valued, and loved. That’s what this organization stands for.

A Special Thank You

I must also mention Joanne McKnight, a reporter who believed in our mission from the very beginning. She attended our events, baked brownies, and spent all year collecting toys to give to the children. Joanne was a shining light, and her generosity and support played a huge part in helping us grow. She is deeply missed, but her legacy lives on through our work.