Roseland Ceasefire Holds the Organization's Largest Holiday Giveaway

Roseland Ceasefire CEO, Bob Johnson (L) talks with two mothers whose adult sons were killed by gun violence, Kim Blackmon (C) and Paula Ward (R). The mothers say the annual holiday toy and food giveaway is something they look forward to, because it allows them to share their grief with others who understand what they are experiencing during the holiday season.
Roseland Ceasefire CEO, Bob Johnson (L) talks with two mothers whose adult sons were killed by gun violence, Kim Blackmon (C) and Paula Ward (R). The mothers say the annual holiday toy and food giveaway is something they look forward to, because it allows them to share their grief with others who understand what they are experiencing during the holiday season.

Roseland Ceasefire Holds the Organization's Largest Holiday Giveaway 


For the 15th year, Roseland Ceasefire Project Inc. held its holiday extravaganza at the Calumet Township Community Center, 12633 S. Ashland Avenue in Calumet Park. Run like a well-oiled machine, the violence intervention organization gave away hundreds of toys, 1,100 turkeys and all of the fixings.


The families who took part are victims of gun violence and find the Christmas season especially hard. Paula Ward, who used to live in Roseland, lost her 24-year-old son in 2021. Kristopher Ward was robbed and shot in a Dolton parking lot. In addition to the giveaway, this annual event allows her to talk with other families experiencing the same grief.


"We started this event because families of gun violence came to us asking for donations and help. So, we saw a need and began working with the schools, churches, elected officials and businesses and the event has continued to grow each year," says Bob Jackson, CEO of Roseland Ceasefire.


Also, in attendance was Corshawda Hatter, the mother who was attacked along with her two children by students from Orville T. Bright Elementary School on their way home. The incident made national news resulting in an outpouring of people wanting to help the family, who lived in Roseland Ceasefire's service area.


A former Chicago resident, rapper Lil Zay Osama, reached out to the family through Roseland Ceasefire and pledged to help.


"We all got to do better, we got to help each other do better," said Osama in a Tik Tok video. He also praised the violence intervention organization for its work.


Jackson said this year was the organization's largest giveaway.


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