Thug Life Army

It’s that time of year! And for once we can give props and drop some good news for once. The Hip-Hop community is often shown in the negative light and every chance to bash by the media is always taken. So to be able to report good news every once in a while is a chance that I will not pass up. Especially when it is for the kids or to help people who are less fortunate then the rest.

Here in New York City there is close to 36,000 men, women and children in the shelter system. About 79% of that number are children and families. During the holidays it is said that these numbers nearly double. This is a problem that probably affects your community and just about every major city in our country.

So here are some of the people giving back this holiday season. Whether it’s something for the homeless of their city, giving to the local school of the old hood or giving underprivileged children a day to smile. It is all worth it and it is all worth putting out there to show that it isn’t always negative.

New York Jet defensive tackle Josh Evan along with 50 Cent, sports agent Glenn Toby and the Book Bank Foundation have teamed up to help the homeless in NYC. They will turn the Bowery Mission into a free superstore, for one day to let the homeless enjoy the craziness of holiday shopping.

The Book Ban Foundation, Josh Evans, 50 Cent, Swizz Beats, G-unit Clothing and may others from Hip-Hop, NFL and Fashion have made contributions and will be there that day. There will also be a holiday feast provided the day for those in attendance.

Also giving back to New York Rap Superstar Fat Joe will be giving to his old Grammar School PS 146. Next Tuesday December 21^st Fat Joe will be donating 20 new computers for the students there. This idea was put together by Fat Joe and Assemblyman Rubin Diaz. Not only will he donate the computer but he will giving the school money to redo their multimedia room. The principal will also rename the room after Joe’s sister who had passed away during childbirth. Fat Joe has teamed up with a computer company called Hip-e Computer for this donation. "Each year, I make sure to give back to my community and to the children of New York City in some way, by giving toys at Christmas to children in hospitals to serving as Principal for the Day at schools in the Bronx and more. I don''t know if anything else I do charity-wise will top what I''m doing for my old grammar school. This was a school that had no computers for their children, so to be able to come in & give them 20 along with a new multimedia room that will be named after & dedicated to my sister is phenomenal and makes me feel so grateful that I''m in a position to give back to the community that helped make me who I am today."

 Later today down in ATL Nelly & JD will host Atlanta’s Biggest Christmas Party for hundreds of underprivileged children. More than 1,200 kids will party it up with the stars. There will be music, games, toys and fun at the Dunbar Recreation Center. The stars will be handing out more than 3,000 toys for Christmas. It is reported that the duo dropped more than $10,000 on gifts for the kids. Dupri says, "I love Atlanta and I''ve always tried to do the best I comes to supporting the Atlanta community-at-large. I also know what its like to be left out at Christmas, so now I''m at place where I can try and make the holidays a little brighter for kids that do not have a lot and probably expect nothing."

Its good to be able to drop the good stuff once in awhile and take a break from the controversy, beef and all the normal negativity. That’s exactly what this time of the year is all about! It’s about the kids; it’s about surrounding yourself with family and the ones you love! It’s about reaching out to those in need that may not get the chance to have the big tree or sit at a big table of people that care for them and always got their back! It’s about putting a smile on the face of the kid that may not get the hottest selling Christmas gifts this year but the smile is cause they got something at all. Big props to the artists mentioned above & anyone else doing something this holiday season. I know I will do mine, so I challenge everyone to do something this year whether you drop a toy, a can of food or just throw some of that change in the red bucket outside Macys. Happy Holiday Everybody!