WSVN
A charity event organized by Cash4Gold in December 2009 was a unique opportunity for two living legends to come together on the same stage. One of the world’s most entertaining performers, MC Hammer, joined Essie “Big Mama” Reed to hand out toys to children in the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area. The event was held at Joseph C. Carter Park, which is at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Big Mama, as she is affectionately known, is one of the most beloved personalities in the South Florida and Broward County areas having devoted her own life to improving the lives of those all around her.
Cash4Gold sponsored the event, at which MC Hammer took photographs with the children, signed autographs, and handed out toys to children who otherwise might not have gotten any gifts for Christmas.
WVSN News had a full story, which is included below. The station also featured a memorable video report on the event.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) — Move over, Santa, it’s Hammer time here in South Florida. MC Hammer visited South Florida to deliver a special holiday surprise at Essie “Big Mama” Reed’s annual toy giveaway.
On Monday morning, MC Hammer, the recording artist best known for his 90s hit “Can’t Touch This,” joined forces with Big Mama, at Carter Park, on Sunrise Boulevard. He was there to help hand out gifts to hundreds of hand-picked, underprivileged kids from local nursery schools. “These are rare, loving individuals that come along once a lifetime,” said Hammer, “so to be able to come out and say, ‘I’m honoring Big Mama by participating,’ I love it.”
“Come on over here and give Big Mama a hug. Put your arms around me, baby,” Reed told him, and he obeyed with a smile. “Look it here,” she said. “We’re going to out there to work for our kids and our families, and that’s what it’s all about, putting a smile on my children’s faces.”
Hammer got word of Big Mama’s efforts all the way on the west coast of the U.S. after performing a search on-line. “When I Googled her it came up: all of this work and this love, and I said, OK, I’ll be there.”
“I think it’s a wonderful thing that someone cares enough about the community to give and make sure the children have a nice Christmas,” said parent Pamela Martin.
Sunday afternoon, on her birthday, Reed lead a giveaway for the children in her community, at Broadview Park.
Later on Monday, Reed and her Team of Life charity organization headed to West Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach and Delray Beach to continue to hand out their donated gifts.
