Kiotti, David Godsey and Justin Martin from Ijustgothit.com and the Godsey Martin regulation agency joined forces once more for his or her annual “Christmas With Kiotti,” an occasion devoted to helping households in want.
The group fastidiously chosen 20 households going through difficult circumstances and aimed to deliver pleasure to their lives by generously gifting every household $500 and a particular dinner from The Greasy Spoon simply in time for the vacations. The response was overwhelming, with quite a few heartfelt tales pouring in, depicting the emotional, bodily, and monetary struggles that many people had endured all year long.
“Us serving the neighborhood is simply the correct factor to do. For all of the love and loyalty that the neighborhood exhibits us, we attempt to present it proper again,” stated Martin.
Godsey Martin, a regulation agency based by childhood pals Justin Martin and David Godsey in 2007, formally established itself in 2010. Rooted of their shared experiences inside their neighborhood, the agency has maintained a dedication to serving the very neighborhood they arrive from. This dedication to giving again is an integral a part of their ongoing mission.
Whereas most youngsters recall a selected toy, Martin’s most cherished Christmas current was his mom’s smile.
“I went to 14 completely different colleges in three or 4 completely different states between the time I used to be in kindergarten and the time I graduated from highschool,” stated Martin. “My mother was a single mom, who went from job to job. She was all the time looking for the subsequent test. Financially, I may inform when sure Christmases had been higher than others, however to see the look on her face once I opened a present, due to all her arduous work that she put into the month and two months earlier than Christmas, that was the perfect reward I ever obtained; seeing her smile and her pleasure in what she was capable of ship to me.”
“We listened to lots of of calls that got here in and there have been so many heart-touching tales of individuals within the metropolis who the 12 months has been arduous for them emotionally, bodily, and financially that simply wanted just a little assist. So, to have the ability to love on the town is all the time factor,” stated Kiotti.
Among the many recipients was 11-year-old Levi Keys, a pupil at Budewig Intermediate, who confronted a traumatic incident on his manner residence. Levi was attacked by older boys, threatened with a gun, and compelled to combat a bunch who jumped him.
“I used to be strolling residence from faculty and there are some residences subsequent to my faculty that when you reduce by way of the residences the stroll is shorter in distance, however whereas I walked there these individuals focused me for no motive. I didn’t even know them,” stated Keys.
“I referred to as 911 when my son got here residence bloody however they by no means confirmed up,” stated Leys’ mom Lucille Longoria. “So I referred to as the varsity. I didn’t have transportation for the time being and I felt helpless. I used to be actually scared for my son, however the faculty instructed me there was nothing they may do as a result of it didn’t occur on faculty property.”
Whereas on the Christmas occasion, phrase of this incident received round and an arrest was made.
“I simply received phrase from the officer on the case, that every one three of the people who jumped my son within the video have been arrested,” stated Longoria. “I would like everybody to attempt to uplift my son as a lot as doable as a result of if this could’ve gone any additional he may have been lifeless earlier than Christmas.”
One other participant, Chris Thomas, and his son, Chris Thomas Jr., eagerly welcomed the information. The daddy of eight had endured a difficult 12 months, navigating a court docket case that drained each his funds and time. After efficiently proving his innocence, he discovered himself in a precarious monetary scenario simply earlier than the vacations.
“As a Black father typically it’s arduous to ask for assist. Generally individuals have a look at us as fathers like we’re purported to all the time be robust it doesn’t matter what occurs, however typically we’d like assist. As a person it’s okay to say you need assistance as a result of you have got individuals out right here who’re keen to assist. Simply by no means be afraid to ask for it,” stated Thomas.
Stephanie Lyons was left to rebuild her life after shedding her daughter in April final 12 months.
“I misplaced my daughter final 12 months on April 22, 2022, from a drug overdose of fentanyl. She was discovered handed away in her condominium and she or he had 5 youngsters. Three are with their father and I’m caring for the opposite two,” stated Lyons.
Lyons is pressured to start out over now as a parental determine to her 11-year-old grandson and 10-year-old granddaughter. Regardless of the immense challenges, Lyons is set to assist the kids and assist them transfer ahead. She plans to make use of the $500 to profit all 5 of the children in her care.
