Jerell Shearin on 13 years of Atlanta Turkey Classic

For 13 years, Jerell Shearin has been perfecting the artwork of bringing individuals collectively via basketball and group service. Because the proprietor of Georgia Spartans, he leads one in all Atlanta’s most impactful annual traditions, the Atlanta Turkey Basic, an occasion that blends leisure with important vacation assist. What began as a easy roadside meals giveaway has grown right into a full scale group celebration that serves a whole lot of households every November. Via partnerships with native organizations and sponsors, Shearin has constructed one thing greater than a basketball recreation. It’s a household reunion, a well being truthful, an artwork showcase, and a lifeline for many who want it most throughout this vacation season.

We all know that is the thirteenth yr of the Atlanta Turkey Basic, however take us again. Give us the historical past. Give us what impressed this occasion within the first place.

One among my companions, Montana White, was really on the facet of the highway simply giving out meals, and I used to be like, nicely, that’s nice that you simply’re impacting the group, however let’s add a basketball recreation. We partnered with Streetz 94.5. We did the basketball recreation for leisure, we obtained individuals in the neighborhood to return out, and we blessed them on the identical time. So it was this nice bond, 13 years in the past.

Your work via Georgia Spartans is rooted in service. What does this occasion symbolize for you personally when it comes to giving again?

Now we have a Christmas in Paradise the place we deal with foster children, so we give them a group dinner, we give them toys, and we give them a live performance after which we’ve got the Study to Stay. So the Study to Stay is definitely a well being truthful and a health problem with a basketball recreation. Folks are available, join the basketball recreation, perhaps we do a passport fashion, they be certain that to get all of the vitals, get details about something medical. As a result of my mother’s a two time most cancers survivor, it was vital to me to really give again to well being and wellness. Then we do Artwork within the Park. So, Artwork within the Park is mainly an artwork showcase that we do in DeKalb County and Fulton County, showcasing Black artists across the metropolis. And naturally, the foremost occasion is the Atlanta Turkey Basic and our 2K stroll that we do within the summertime.

For somebody attending for the primary time, what can they count on on the Turkey Basic? From the sport to the giveaways to group service actions, what can they count on?

Now we have an awesome lineup for it. We even have MLK Band, the drumline’s going to carry out at halftime. Now we have two dance off competitions. We’re going to have giveaways from Smoothie King. ADT’s giving a free alarm system, and you may join an acre of land that we really partnered with, that we’re making a gift of on December 14th. Now, so far as the meals half, we’re giving over 400 to 600 turkeys, recent produce to all of the individuals, and we’re additionally going to provide them reward playing cards and vouchers to assist out.

The Turkey Basic has grown due to partnerships with leaders, sponsors, and organizations. What does this true collaboration appear like while you’re serving the group?

It’s only a give again group feeling. It’s like a household reunion while you’re there, as a result of we’re giving again, no person’s worrying about, oh, I did this, I did that. It’s simply everyone coming collectively to assist out the group, feeding the group for the vacations. Similar to what Thanksgiving’s about.

Are you able to inform us a narrative about probably the most memorable second for you from the previous 13 years that made you say, sure, that is why we’re doing this?

Just about, after we did it on Campbellton Street, we had an entire lot of senior residents, and we was capable of assist them. We really went to a senior heart after the occasion and gave them 200 turkeys to allow them to have [some], simply because they couldn’t make it out to the occasion itself due to transportation.

What’s one thing new and thrilling that you simply’re bringing to this yr’s Turkey Basic that folks ought to sit up for?

I believe it’s simply the basketball recreation. We obtained lots of superstar coaches. We obtained John Abraham, we obtained Q from 112, going to be a companion. We obtained some ex NBA gamers, and we even have an entire lot of different surprises that we’ve got within the constructing that folks need to really present up and provides again through the season.

For viewers who need to assist, whether or not via volunteering, donating, or attending, what’s one of the best ways they will become involved?

Now we have three other ways. After all, you’ll be able to attain us out on Instagram, which is @GeorgiaSpartans. Our web site for our basketball group is gaspartans.com. And our nonprofit is spartansreach.com. So you’ll be able to go on there, click on on the hyperlink, donate, or go away a message for me.

How do you hope the Turkey Basic continues to develop over the subsequent decade? What legacy would you like this occasion to go away behind?

I really need to continue to grow it, however the legacy, I need to really go away it to my household. I believe household is essential. If they will have one thing they will at all times return to, and you already know what? Your dad, your uncle, your cousin, they began this nice legacy of giving again to the group. I need to be like Hosea in Atlanta. I don’t know if I’m gonna get there, however I need to be like Hosea, and feed the household.

The thirteenth annual Atlanta Turkey Basic came about November twenty third at Atlanta Metropolitan State Faculty, the occasion was free and open to the group.