Phillip Agnew wants Qcity residents to remember one thing in this tough economy: “Everybody’s come on hard times. But there’s somebody that has it worse.”
That’s why Agnew and friend Marcus Carson have planned a toy drive to benefit students attending Thomasboro Elementary.
Their promotions firm, Savior Faire Marketing, partnered with Jane Doe Marketing and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce for an event tonight at Apostrophe Lounge.
“It’s just all about the children” and benefiting people locally, said Jane Doe’s Henry Grier.
Grier, a Charlotte native, said Thomasboro lately has received negative press; A CMS teacher called the school “ghetto” on her Facebook page, sparking community outrage.
Agnew and Grier say the students have received “undue criticism,” so the groups wanted to make their holiday brighter.
Grier said their goal is to collect at least 75 toys.
“There’s a need at Thomasboro,” he said. Nearly 94 percent of students there receive free or reduced lunch. “They’re just children, and they need help, too.”
Agnew said sponsors will be collecting “any and everything people can give.”
“Just something small. … Get something you’d want if you were a kid.”
The drive will begin at 6 p.m. and run till midnight. Apostrophe Lounge is at 1440 S. Tryon Street.
Admission is free with a new, unwrapped toy. Guests also may donate cash. All money raised will go to purchase toys for Thomasboro students, he said.
