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Vocal artist Raheem DeVaughn is a real philanthropist devoted to creating a distinction within the lives of others. Via his charity, The LoveLife Basis, he has carried out varied initiatives, reminiscent of a scholarship fund, assist for home abuse survivors, AIDS prevention efforts, and an annual vacation live performance that raises funds for the inspiration’s toy drive, “Carry Pleasure with a Toy.”
As a long-time advocate for these in want, DeVaughn’s involvement within the Washington D.C. group has expanded nationally through the years, main him to prepare occasions and supply help wherever it’s wanted. Whether or not touring for his music profession or leisure, Raheem DeVaughn stays dedicated to his mission.
On this gracious interview, he shares with EBONY his motivation for serving to others and the profound impression of the vacation toy drive on people.
EBONY: What’s your motivation in your initiative, “Carry Pleasure with a Toy?”
Raheem DeVaughn: “There’s a big group of individuals which are forgotten about [and] households who’re fully displaced for various causes. [I wanted to] put a smile or lighten the load for these which are simply in want or simply coping with some actually critical traumatic conditions throughout the holidays.”
What do you hope to perform out of your annual toy drive?
“[For] some cool partnerships to come back from that, you recognize? Folks have wants, individuals are homeless and displaced, ravenous in some instances, and there are meals shortages in D.C. and [throughout] the nation the place we Black and brown individuals are most affected, sadly.
In fact, the worldwide pandemic put an enormous dent in our operation the place we had been doing sure issues month-to-month, outdoors of the vacations, [so] the hope is to get again into the rhythm, and I do know that individuals are dependent upon that.”
So primarily, you’d like some long-term help that helps you assist others much more and in several methods?
“The LoveLife Basis is a really small operation and a really small crew of people that packs a robust punch. We get it finished. [And while] it’s a basis, it is usually a model, so the extra funds we [have] coming in and the extra partnerships will give us extra alternatives with the work we are able to do on the bottom.”
What have you ever witnessed up to now throughout the holidays in your group that prompted you to step in and be of service to your neighbors throughout this time of yr?
“To not sound cliché, however it’s the youngsters. It’s to see them mild up. [In] some instances, the place the duty falls on the grandparent as a result of the dad and mom may be incarcerated, deceased or displaced themselves. It may very well be that there’s psychological well being concerned. In some instances, it is about restoring someone’s sense of dignity and humanizing them once more. I have been in conditions the place folks have finished issues for me.”
Feels like philanthropy is just in your DNA. How do you’re feeling that others with the means or a major namesake ought to assist the group extra? (i.e.: funds, appearances for motivation, mentorship, and many others.)?
“There are lots of people who’re positioned to assist, or possibly, alternatively, they might really feel that they need to be a public determine to get it finished.
I might say to them that you do not have to be a public determine; you merely need to be a human being to care about folks. I encourage folks to do random acts of kindness. There are a variety of my friends on the market doing the work, and also you’ll by no means hear about it. Kudos to them. You ought to be doing the work if you happen to’re within the place to. It is what retains the ecosystem going.”
What do you imagine “Carry Pleasure with a Toy” does for the recipients in the long run?
“I believe each baby deserves to have the ability to be a toddler. Younger kids are pressured to be in grownup conditions far too early. Each baby deserves to have the ability to dream, to have enjoyable, to have a way of escapism, and to really feel protected. I hope that’s what we offer after we do what we do.
Perceive early in life that there is one thing we name household, after which we now have what we name prolonged household, and within the village, it’s the prolonged household. There’s been an understanding that the elders within the neighborhood would take care of the youth. We dwell in several instances now, however these folks nonetheless exist, and people communities nonetheless exist. It’s a mild reminder that even in your darkest time, the world remains to be a stupendous place.”
To assist the LoveLife Basis, please go to: LoveLifefoundationdmv.org.
To study extra about different people who give again to their communities year-round, try our ‘Amplified’ sequence offered by Nationwide at https://www.ebony.com/tag/black-in-business/
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