James Brown's Annual Turkey & Toy Giveaways Continue Options

[PaulDA]

James Brown's Annual Turkey Giveaway Continues

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — A Thanksgiving tradition sponsored by James Brown is being continued in this first year after the soul pioneer's death with the annual turkey giveaway in his hometown.
In his place, longtime confidant and civil rights activist Al Sharpton will hand out the first turkey Monday.

Brown started the turkey tradition in 1991. He died of heart failure last Christmas at age 73.

More than 1,000 turkeys are usually distributed at the pre-Thanksgiving event, said the Rev. Larry Fryer, who assisted Brown with previous giveaways. The Brown family also will continue Brown's annual Christmas toy giveaway on Dec. 20.

"We're the ones who decided to do what we know dad would have wanted us to do," his daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas, said Friday. "These are two events that held dearest to dad's heart."

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Ga | Thanksgiving | Augusta | James Brown
Thomas said her father left no doubt that he wanted his children to carry on this tradition.

"Daddy told me one time 'I expect for y'all to continue this,'" she said. "And he ain't just any daddy. He's James Brown."

The family asked for donations to keep the events alive. As of Friday, an account set up at First Bank of Georgia had received $4,500, a bank representative said.

[PaulDA]

Thousands gather for James Brown Toy Giveaway

December , 2007

AUGUSTA, Ga.---One year after his death, the annual James Brown toy giveaway lives on. Thousands gathered early in the morning to get their hands on the perfect toy. It was a special time little Shakeem and his family.

"It means a lot to me and my son. This day is his birthday...five days away from Christmas what a surprise." That surprise...Shakeem walked away with a brand new bike. It was just one of over two thousand toys.

"This is more toys than we've ever had. We've never had these many toys," says Deanna Brown.

"This is awesome. This is awesome. I am just full with emotions right now because this time last year was the last time that I seen my father alive doing something that he loved so much," says Venisha Brown.

"He was that kid peeking through the window looking at toys he couldn't afford and he never forgot it so we wanted to be here," said the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The Rev. Al Sharpton was on hand to give out the first toy. He said he and the family were determined to continue the family tradition. "Christmas will not be the same for any of us cause it will remind us of what we lost, but it also is a challenge for us to do the things that he taught us because we can look at him in heaven and say we did what you told us to do."