WS Chronicle

Brittany Ward, founder of HOOPS4L.Y.F.E. (H4L), makes it a point to share the holiday spirit with those less fortunate. Every year she holds an event that includes a toy giveaway for kids. This year she held a Meet Santa event at the Carver School Road Library on Friday, Dec. 17.

The concept for the Meet Santa event came from the Carver School Road Library, where H4L is currently working out of. The Black Santa was Lieutenant Little from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department.  

“It was to bring awareness and to ensure that our youth were able to at least get one gift this holiday season,” said Ward. “It was definitely about the youth and family. Bringing in a Black Santa, I had people coming from across town because they heard we had a Black Santa, so that representation played a major part in it as well.”

Ward stated that not only did the sheriff’s department provide a Black Santa, but they also donated toys for the event as well. Nearly 40 kids came out to the event last Friday afternoon and Ward was thankful to the library for hosting the event.

“Definitely a shout out to the Carver School Road Library,” she said. “Ms. Chasity, she’s the branch manager, and to Zach, he runs the children’s library, and they did a great job by allowing us to partner to do the event.”

Ward has also partnered with Rho Phi Kappa Fraternity Inc. for a holiday toy drive. They collected toys that will be donated to local families in need. H4L will also host a bowling tournament today at Northside Lanes, 3550 Patterson Ave., to continue their fundraising efforts.

“This is a family-friendly event and again this is an event to raise money for HOOPS4L.Y.F.E. as we continue our efforts to help prevent juvenile crime, deter gang violence, and provide educational field trips,” Ward said about the bowling tournament.

The families that Ward and H4L will be helping this holiday season came from multiple places.

“Some come from the HOOPS4L.Y.F.E. organization, others have reached out to us via social media, or just simply asked if we are helping families this year,” she said about how families have contacted her about assistance. “This is an annual thing we do where we help families in our community, but most importantly, take care of those HOOPS4L.Y.F.E. kids as well.”

Ward does not look for any attention for the things she does for the community. She feels this is what she was born to do.

“I feel like this is my calling and I am living my purpose every day with giving back and empowering our youth and families,” she said. “I like highlighting some good things instead of the negative things that are highlighted on the news. This is definitely shining a light on some good that we are doing in our hood.”

Ward also wanted to thank Humblebshives for coming out to their event last week.