By Tai Saint-Louis
Ryan Cameron and rapper T.I., members of the urban entertainment community came to the aid of the Hosea Williams Feed The Hungry and Homeless Foundation yesterday (November 20), to save the organization’s 38th annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Cameron and T.I. spearheaded a campaign that raised $166,000 in less than three hours during Cameron’s show yesterday.
The spontaneous pledge came about when two weeks ago, the charity’s Executive Director, Mrs. Elizabeth Omilami informed Cameron that the Hosea Williams Foundation had lost the support of a $150,000 donor.
As a result, the foundation needed assistance in raising funds for their annual Holiday initiatives.
Cameron, who is a major supporter of the charity, organized a conference call that evening between Mrs. Omilami and T.I., who agreed to help.
Yesterday during the Ryan Cameron show, which airs from 2-6pm on V103 (WVEE-FM), the two respected local celebrities called on their celebrity friends for support.
"I’m just trying to secure my place in heaven," Cameron told AllHipHop.com. "That’s what my grandma always said."
Among those who responded, all with sizeable pledges, were Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, Neyo, Wyclef Jean, Jermaine Dupri, Mr. Collipark, DJ Toomp, Polow Da Don, Bow Wow, Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles, Devyne Stephens of Upfront Records, Mathew Knowles and Alex Gidewon of AG Entertainment.
T.I. made his own contribution of $20,000.
"God put me in a position where I can help," stated T.I., who joined the broadcast via telephone due to his house arrest.
"With great reward comes great responsibility and I’m just happy to have the ability to do this. I wish could do more," T.I. said.
He closed by telling fans not to worry about his own highly publicized situation, as it would be handled "in God’s Time."
"We really have to thank Ryan for opening the door," Mrs. Omilami told AllHipHop.com. "Clifford [T.I.], as I call him because that is what his mama named him, has been calling me every day on my cell phone. It is T.I. and these artists who are our future, lifting up the community. Because it is these artists who have their own foundations, who have been doing good in the community, that not many [in the media] talk about. We are blessed to be receiving, but more importantly building a partnership with these influential artists."
The Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless Thanksgiving Dinner Feast will serve an estimated 20,000 meals on Thursday from 12-5pm.
It has been referred to as the largest sit down Thanksgiving feast in the Southeastern United States.
For more information visit: http://www.hoseafeedthehungry.com