Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
Edited by Naomi K. Bonman, Written by the Smile America Abdi Foundation
The holidays are all about the spirit of giving and Smile America Abdi Foundation had plenty to give this year. On September 24, 2020, the foundation gave out over 400 backpacks with supplies. In October, the foundation gave out 200 homeless survivor kits throughout Rialto, Fontana, San Bernardino, and Colton. In addition to the kits, 10 individuals were able to be placed shelters. This was just the first part of the season, before the holidays kicked off.
As the days rolled into the Thanksgiving holiday, Smile America Abdi gave out over 200 turkey and chicken plates at Werner Elementary School on November 24. And most recently, on Monday, December 21, over 1000 toys were given away at the same elementary school.
“Not a day or a second that goes by that we do not think of Abdi and Miss Abdi so much,” Farah M., representative of the Smile America Abdi Foundation, stated. “No matter what Abdi’s Spirit is with us and his Love of improving, empowering his Community will continue until the End of time GOD WILLING.”
The Smile America Abdi foundation was founded by Abdi Mohamed of Somalia located in East Africa. He has lived and knows of the struggle that many African Refugees face. However, he noticed that not much was different after relocating to Southern California. He noticed that the Black communities in California were no better than the refugees in Africa.
Mohamed’s love of helping, empowering, motivating, and advocating for his people as continued here in Southern California. In addition to the holiday giveaways, through the foundation he tutors children after school, and he recycles in order to buy pizza at the park so children in the community do not join in local gang groups. He also teaches youth skills in money management, how to fill out college applications and FAFSA forms. He also babysat for single mothers.
Abdi Mohamed did great works for the foundation, but unfortunately, he was killed in 2018; however, his work is not in vain and is now being carried out by his sister Farah Mohamed.
“My brother Abdi believed in bringing local government, local business, and the community together in order to make our community a better place for the next generations to come,” Farah Mohamed said.
Author: Naomi K. Bonman
Naomi K. Bonman is a Digital Content Curator, Journalist, Marketing Manager, and Editor. She is the editor of the westside Story Newspaper. She is also the Founder and CEO of Awakened Lounge (www.theawakenedlounge.com)
