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New Year’s Eve Party @ Peabody Little Rock — 12.31
The hotel’s huge annual party featured music from bands Tyrannosaurus Chicken, Ephiphany and Tomorrow Maybe, and Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers as well as DJs Tre’ Day, G-Force and Brandon Peck, aka DJ 1-Up.
To donate
Bring book bags and school supplies to the East Lake Boys and Girls Club between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., or email Michael Gordon at ccbampeach@yahoo.com
Many inner city children face academic and economic disadvantages before the school year begins.
But Michael Gordon is working to help them address those challenges, saying God mandated he help them.
"When I go to a school, the underprivileged kids are always behind the 8-ball on paying school fees and supplies," Gordon said. "By the time [a student] catches up, it's the end of the semester."
Meanwhile, kids who have parents with an income show up prepared on the first day and it gives them confidence, he said.
The father of five plans to distribute hundreds of book bags filled with school supplies to students Saturday morning, but he's not doing it alone. He has more than 120 volunteers with him - police officers, attorneys, doctors and pastors - who will knock on doors and deliver the backpacks to youth while offering to mentor them.
They will distribute the bags to children who live in East Lake Courts, Westside and Emma Wheeler Homes.
"This means nothing if it's not for 100 people giving up their time to knock on doors in 100 degree weather," Gordon said.
Volunteers will leave their names and numbers for the children while providing their own contact info. Some volunteers plan to meet with the children at school at least twice a month for lunch, Gordon said.
The purpose is to let youth know that someone cares for them, he said.
Front Porch Alliance donated 200 backpacks filled with school supplies. Gordon asks anyone who wants to contribute backpacks to come to the East Lake Boys and Girls Club from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday.
Delivering backpacks is Gordon's latest mission.
His efforts began in 2015 when he said God told him to make a list of friends and then invite them to encourage youth at Orchard Knob Middle School.
First, he objected to the mission and argued, he said. But he was encouraged when he called the first 10 people on a list of more than 100 and all of them said yes.
The event ended with more than 120 volunteers showing up at Orchard Knob to remind youth that greatness lives inside of them.
Gordon saw firsthand the need for male role models when he visited homes as a family development specialist with Health Connect America.
Of the 150 homes he visited in a year, only 12 included fathers in the home, he said.
Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey said he will speak to encourage parents and youth in Emma Wheeler Holmes after they receive backpacks. He said Gordon's efforts will help youth be better prepared for the school year.
"It goes without saying that the prosperity that Hamilton County enjoys is not universal. There are deep pockets of poverty and neglect. One of them being in Wheeler Homes," he said.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.