“When God is in it, there is no way you will not win it or in the infamous words of Jesse Jackson ‘if you believe it, you can achieve it’,” said Tracy Mitchell, president of Mothers In Action about bringing Thanksgiving Day Feed to Ward Villas Senior Apartment Complex.
On Thursday, November 24, Mothers In Action (MIA) celebrated 21 years of serving turkey dinners at Ward Villas Senior Apartment Complex and delivering to senior citizens and sick and shut-in residents throughout the greater Los Angeles area. MIA along with elected officials, celebrities, law enforcement, organizations and the community came together to make this holiday event a success—and this year was no different.
“I have a team of ride or die chicks that I vibe with and it makes my service to the Lord and community even that much easier, and they know who they are,” said Mitchell.
“Mothers In Action’s volunteers, donors, members, friends and family are such a blessing and our success is only made possible because of their generosity. Whether you made a card, donated money, soda, salad, bread, centerpieces, turkeys, recycle able bags, cleaned up, packed, served or delivered a meal we are so grateful for your act of kindness and we are honored to have you as a part of our village!”
Both the late Brenda Marsh Mitchell and Lillian Mobley started the tradition in 1995 to give seniors a holiday meal during a time when many are forgotten. According to Mitchell, sometimes we are the only face that they see that day.
This year’s volunteers, donors and MIA delivered over 800 meals, served 200 onsite at Ward Villas and sent leftovers to serve over 1,000 more at homeless shelters, group homes and other underserved individuals.
“The Lord was blessing us overtime—Mothers In Action had the Lord on our side today,” said Mitchell. “Brenda is beaming in heaven!”
For over two decades, the Thanksgiving Day Feed has offered a traditional Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, dressing, green beans, and macaroni & cheese, dessert and more served and delivered to those who are unable to leave their house or cook for themselves. Chef Marilyn out did herself once again, in preparing such a delicious meal.
“Los Angeles South Traffic Division and Community Traffic Safety Unit (CTSU)participated in the Thanksgiving meal prep with Mothers In Action as an outreach, education and fellowship with Mothers In Action and additional community members,” said Seargeant Steven Smith, who is in charge of the of the CTSU at South Traffic Division.
The officers had a wonderful time in seeing the beautiful faces of people that were pleased with the meals and being part of the community. It was a wonderful experience and look forward to more partnerships with Mothers in Action.”
MIA would like to thank their media partners, the L.A. Sentinel & L.A. Watts Times for the ads and donation of 1,000 newspapers to accompany every meal delivered. They would also like to thank Danny Bakewell and Brenda Marsh-Mitchell for teaching and showing the way to make a difference in the community.
Special thanks also to The Bakewell Family Foundation, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Brandiva & Sir Jerk, Brunch Babes, California Water Service Company, Glory Foods, Golden State Water Company, Hey Girlfriend Network, Girl Scout Troop 1565 along with their leaders and mothers, Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta, 7-11, Smart & Final, Sparkling Clean, Pepsi , LAPD Seargeant Stephen Smith, Officers Roberson, and Adams from CTSU and South Traffic Division for along with other members of Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, The Starving Actor, all the generations of families that came to serve, The Brown Family, The Calhoun Family, The Courtney Family, Wayne Francis, Howard & Associates, Jannie McKinney, The Mitchell Family, The Randolph Family, The Smith family, the elected officials that donated turkeys and came out to serve: Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Councilmember Curren Price of 9th District, Councilmember Marqueece Harris – Dawson of 8th District, LAUSD Board member Dr. George McKenna of District 1, Dr.
Carliss McGhee, Member of Inglewood School District and actress/comedienne, T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh. Thank you to the elected officials that donated but were not able to attend Assemblymember Autumn Burke, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Senator Holly Mitchell, Senator Isadore Hall, and Supervisor Mark-Ridley Thomas.
“We would also like to thank Fabian Wesson and Trudie Abraham for delivering meals on behalf of the 10th Council District every year, event photographer Robert Torrence, our partnering church Holman United Methodist Church for the donation of desserts and their Senior Pastor Kelvin Sauls for assisting us in getting the job done, our host site and partner for 21 years, Ward EDC and Jackie Dupont-Walker, and the Mothers In Action staff and faithful members” said Mitchell.
“I encourage everyone to find your passion in life because when you do you will never feel like you work another day in your life.”
Please like Mothers In Action on facebook and follow them on twitter (@mothersinaction). Check out their website address at www.mothers-in-action.org
