Hundreds stood in line Monday at Dyess Park, braving the chill and hoping for help from the annual James Brown Turkey Giveaway.
Hundreds left happy.
Among them was Elmore Sanders, a Korean War veteran, who said he grew up as a friend of the Godfather of Soul and carried a photo in his wallet to prove it. He said it was worth waiting for the free turkey.
Ronald Corley, a disabled Vietnam veteran, said he had good reason to attend the giveaway.
"My house burned down ... I lost everything," he said. "Right now I've just got to do what I can."
The turkey giveaway was the second since Mr. Brown passed away Christmas Day 2006. His longtime friend the Rev. Al Sharpton was again on hand to help with the distribution, leading those present in prayer and speaking about the importance Mr. Brown placed on giving back to the community.
Many people came to the giveaway for the first time, forced to do so in part by the economic hard times.
Clarether K. Shearin said she had children to worry about feeding and that a turkey would go a long way to help.
"I've got a house full of kids. I'm disabled, and it takes a lot to feed my young'uns," she said.
Ms. Shearin said that even though Mr. Brown is gone, his legacy continues through the giveaway.
"I knew James Brown as a kid growing up," she said. "This is something that he wanted to do. It's a blessing."
Reach Jonathan Overstreet at (706) 823-3708 or jonathan.overstreet@augustachronicle.com.
HELPING HANDS
More than 800 turkeys were delivered to Dyess Park to be given away.
Contributors helping with the giveaway included Comcast, Global Spectrum, The Partridge Inn, the Augusta Groove basketball team, Mayor Deke Copenhaver, state Sen. Ed Tarver, state Rep. Quincy Murphy, and Kroger and Bi-Lo stores on Wrightsboro Road.
The event is funded through The Brown Family Children's Foundation. As of Monday, First Bank of Georgia had received $10,000 in donations for the foundation's annual turkey and toy giveaways, according to a bank spokeswoman.
Comments
it lives on by a man who is washed up, does not preach at a church, and is grasping at any last way he can to keep his name in the stoplight. I overheard him and Jackson at a restaurant, during Brown's funeral, using the term honkie, several times. what hypocrites
I wonder how many "showed" up that really didn't need the hand out, but think they are entitled to it.
I think it's wonderful that hopefully those who needed a helping hand receive it. "iamabadamerican", I understand your comment but possibly these are her grandchildren and not her own children which is usually the case. I'm sure there were some who didn't need it but felt entitled, but lets just hope that some needy families were helped.
I'm saddened to see so much cynicism and contempt on this page. Would you make the same generalizations if this had been a turkey giveaway in Grovetown or McBean? I wonder.
and a dude's house burns down, and a free turkey makes it all better ???
this is the mindset of the huge percentage of people who elected ob president....god help us that actually work and pay taxes....
i would prefer the "giveaway" was as far away from here as geographically possible.......like maybe africa....
I didn't see where it said the turkey would make everything better after his house burned down?????? He said that he has to do what he can........and what does the election have to do with a turkey giveaway?????
I think this is better than not having anything at all. Yeah, more than likely several people were in line that did not need it. How many big named celebrities have stepped up and taken on this tasks? I think it is a great idea no matter where it comes from. I wonder if the lady that complained about the old food from the food bank was in the line.
You all are some sad people. You should think GOD that you are not one of these people. Why do you even bother reading this article? I guess you just have to rain down on those less fortunate than you are in order to make your pathetic lives seem better?
all i said was that it should be far away ...like africa, are there not hungry little africans who would just love a free turkey......what gives with the pc speech police??
oh ,'scuse me...james brown is the patron saint of ghetto augusta, so lets all pause for a "turkey", and give him a moment of silence.......if we only could silence his memory......augusta never supported him and his shenanigans when he was alive, why all this false pretense now.....
air"head' 55....the obvious conclusion would be that these are the sort of people who have come to "expect" a free turkey every year, and they expect the same from the government on all levels,and they are the mentality thst would vote for ob simply because he is black, not because they understand issues(unless the word free is included).ask them who did you vote for, and check the response, then ask what was his stance on economic stimulus, and they will probably reply something like "oh, you means viagry-well he still young yet,he doan need dat !"
Wow. Some of you look for the worst in almost EVERY situation. I pray that you never need to stand in that very same line. I dont see any other local celebs taking on this task...? But still, you complain and throw salt at JB. Haters!
airhead???? did i call you a name???? i was just asking a question, and you still didn't answer it...
Thunder, if that's all you see when you read this article, then I'm sure all you see is a thug when you pass me on the street. Hold tight to your purse, will you. Trust me, you are NOT part of the solution!
White folks are the most mean spirited people in the world. We can't give poor people a free turkey to share with their family. White folks are so uncivilized and filled with racial hatred only to try to hide their hands at church on Sundays. Just typical white hypocrisy and then feel blacks should trust them. God help American....or was the saying "God Damn American!" I think Jeremiah Wright may have been on to something. Maybe the time is not right for blacks to call themselves trusting white folks.
how many white people got turkeys
cparker, your comments define you as a racist, just think about it, if you are able to think. you should be ashamed.
This is America whether you are black, white, red, or yellow. I'm sure there were all races receiving turkeys yet people still try to make everything black or white. When will people see the individual person and not the color of skin, length of hair, dress, etc. Augusta should have supported and been proud to have such a great celebrity originate from their hometown.
Lefty was just wrong on one issue (African-American). I'm white from German heritage but don't call myself German-American. That would set me apart from being an American - I don't want to go "back" to Germany.
Check yourself in the mirrow cparker - you sound pretty mean yourself (I'm excluding your entire race).
palomino9.... You know these are racist comments when a poor black person can't even get a free turkey from donated funds. It should not have to be racially insulting for asking for something to eat. You know that white folks are racist in Augusta. They spend their whole day attacking and insulting blacks then go to church on Sunday and suck down the whole communion tray as though God is pleased with them. It should not have to hurt to be poor and black in Augusta. So if I offended you, please accept my apology. Truth still stands that white folks in Augusta are racist as h*ll.... Jump over and read all the comments about the black guy that was shot to death attempting to rob Captain D's last night. I just feel the time is not right for blacks to feel they should easily trust white folks when they harbor such racial hatred. These are the racial charged attitudes in white folks that Jeremiah Wright was talking about. The more they post their racial hatred, fools like Rev Jeremiah Wright seems more right than wrong!!
Here is a story we can all learn from. http://cbs11tv.com/health/Brenden.Foster.dying.2.867696.html
Good that some people who needed or felt they need a hand got it.Leave the racial and political stuff out of it.Hopefully,it will help some familes have a better holiday.Who are we to judge others,clean your own yard.
cparker, why doesn't the giveaway take place on washington rd.?why is it it always set up as a feed the poor blacks deal??why is that ,mr smarty??
tell you what , instead of god damn america, how 'bout god damn you???
I though sense Obama won there would be need for free Turkey he was going to fly in and save the day.
playlikethunder2..... Warren Baptist helped sponsor a public feeding just last year at the Julian Smith Casino. The Christmas toy giveaway on Broad Street each year have white families in need of help. It just happens that the turkey give away is on 9th & D'Antignac Streets which sits in the heart of the poorest black community of Augusta. Hunger doesn't discriminate. My point is it shouldn't have to be this insulting because you are poor & black. People like you choose to hurt others with your childish racial slurs and perceptions. The same energy it takes to insult can be used to help. If you feel you shouldn't help thats fine, but why choose to insult? Folks just like you are why some never come forward and ask for help when they need it.
UNKNOWNDRAFTER..... We get it!! Obama is the Black Savior of America, right? It must be nice to be racist and get to hide your name while forgeting God knows your heart. By the way.... Can you please send the address where blacks can have all their bills paid for free since Obama is the new President, I have a brand new truck I need hard working white folks like you to pay for?
I direct a ministry center in downtown Augusta which gave out thanksgiving groceries and a 20 pound turkey on Monday night. It saddens me to see these pictures and read these comments. The truth is that I see at least two people in this article and picture who were at our center Monday night after they got a turkey from this give away and "second dipped" into the hearts of people who wanted to help as many people as they could for Thanksgiving. The saddest part is that those who are greedy have once again taken a Thanksgiving dinner from some other family would have been more than thankful to have this Thursday.
Though my heart is saddened to see people abuse what was meant for good for many, I know that many people did not abuse the giving of many people. I also realize that it is God's place to judge people for right and wrong.
As the director of a ministry center, I do wonder if we could be spending the money given to our ministry in a more accountable way.
As the years move, we will see. To bad we (helping agencies and people) can't all work together so that we can serve more people in need.
btw.... at our center, in the heart of downtown augusta, we see people of every race. So no... hunger does not discriminate.
Shearin said kids, not grand kids, still say she was not so diabled she couldn't get those thighs splayed!
Wow, some of you people never cease to amaze me with your over-the-top comments. This is supposed to be a feel good story about helping those who are less fortunate. Why try to nit pick the article and assume there were people there getting turkeys who didn't need them. Then to say something about people feeling entitled and linking them to Obama is just plain dumb. Some of you should stop trying to paint everyone with the same brush. You are probably upset at yourselves and wish someone would give you a helping hand. Go ask Broun or Chambliss and see if they'll help you but I doubt it.
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