The sister and brother pair of Alannah and ‘Cody' (Quixote) Atkins celebrate their 13th and 10th birthdays by sponsoring 20 youth for NAACP Lifetime Memberships through their nonprofit, VillageGIVE - Bottles for Life, Inc.
ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2020 / In celebration of their 13th and 10th birthdays in August, Alannah and 'Cody' (Quixote) Atkins initially decided to award 10 youth (ages 13 and under) with NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Junior Lifetime Memberships from VillageGIVE. Through the generous monetary contributions of their partners, the number of membership recipients quickly expanded to 20 worthy youth.
Alannah, Senior Resident and Cody
say goodbye after the initial
community outreach event (2017).
Founded by these two youth and their parents (Quixote and Jada Atkins), VillageGIVE has provided hope and encouragement to families and elderly for the past three years through various initiatives.
What began as a 5th grade outreach project for Alannah and her brother Cody at Hightower Manor in Atlanta, Georgia, soon expanded to E.E. Cleveland Manor in Oakland, California and Comfy Home Care in Baltimore, Maryland. While in California, Alannah and Cody also participated in the elimination of over $1.5 Million of Medical Debt in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area. In addition, earlier this year, VillageGIVE and their partners cancelled $2 Million in consumer debt for residents throughout California.
Alannah interviewed on Radio One's Nationally Syndicated The Nightly Spirit with Darlene McCoy
after $1.5 Million in Medical Debt was Cancelled in San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area (2019).
Alannah and Cody feel that there is no better way to celebrate their birthdays than to do something for others. Inspired by the impactful life of Representative John Lewis, the Atkins Family wants to provide a gift that continuously adds value to the lives of recipients as they grow and contribute to the well being of others.
As a result, this year Alannah and Cody have established The Atkins-Johnson Award in remembrance of the many "unsung" heroes who have made a difference in their lives. For this year's inaugural award, VillageGIVE will sponsor 20 youth around our country with NAACP Junior Lifetime Memberships.
"We are excited about contributing to the development of our country's next generation of great leaders. We appreciate local churches, nonprofit organizations and NAACP Chapters for their unwavering commitment and dedication to ensuring leadership excellence. Their altruistic acts for others continue to be exemplified from generation to generation", said Quixote D. Atkins, Alannah and Cody's father.
Alannah adds, "I want to encourage other kids that they can make a difference in the community like me and my brother try to do."
Alannah shares words of encouragement (April, 2020).
Local nonprofit leaders chose youth (13 years old and under) based on criteria such as community involvement, academic achievement and character.
This year's inaugural award recipients are:
(Name: City, State; Nominating Organization)
Seth Johnson: Philadelphia, PA; The Baptist Worship Center
Joi Londynn Ware: Philadelphia, PA; The Baptist Worship Center
Kennedy Dantzler: Sumter, SC; Fourbridges Community Development Corp.
Cayin Simmons: Sumter, SC; Fourbridges Community Development Corp.
Antonio Deleon: Houston, TX; Jair Foundation, Inc.
Morgan Pearson: Houston, TX; Jair Foundation, Inc.
Jasmine Bethea: Baltimore, MD; Kingdom Worship Center
Jeremiah Keys: Baltimore, MD; Kingdom Worship Center
Andrea & Jae Marie Waldon: Atlanta, GA; Life Enrichment Ministries
William Wall: Atlanta, GA; Life Enrichment Ministries
William and Reina Dennis: Baltimore, MD; VillageGIVE
Austin Harris: Chapel Hill, NC; VillageGIVE
Maliyah Waithe: Rock Hill, SC; VillageGIVE
Blake Wilson: New Rochelle, NY; VillageGIVE
Aja Wooldridge: Atlanta, GA; VillageGIVE
Mydison and Mykenzie Britton: Baltimore, MD; VillageGIVE*
Charity Weems: Atlanta, GA; VillageGIVE*
Alannah and Cody Atkins: Atlanta, GA; VillageGIVE*
Mr. Michael Britton (VillageGIVE Board Member) said, "With the start of a new school year, now is a great time for youth to discover or re-discover the NAACP. With COVID-19, racial conflict and the current turbulent climate in our nation, it is important that our children recognize early that they can impact our nation and change our world for the betterment of mankind."
For more information on VillageGIVE community initiatives and how you can contribute or be a part, please visit www.villagegive.com.
For more information on NAACP Lifetime Membership options visit www.naacp.org.
* Child of VillageGIVE Board Member
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For media and general information, please contact:
VillageGIVE - Bottles for Life, Inc.
Quixote Atkins
Chairman
470-223-8726
[email protected]
www.villagegive.com
For Charitable Gifts and Contributions:
Michael Britton
Board Member
[email protected]
https://villagegive.com/online-gifts
SOURCE: VillageGIVE - Bottles for Life, Inc.