It’s not simply Santa Claus bringing the vacation magic this vacation season.
The duo behind A Future Tremendous Hero and Associates is ensuring underserved youngsters, older adults, veterans and even animals are getting some Christmas and vacation cheer this December.
That is the fourth 12 months Williams and his accomplice, Rodney Smith Jr., have crisscrossed 50 states in 20 days to attach and assist others. This 12 months Williams dressed as a Scout Trooper elf for the journey whereas Smith was his elf helper.
Courtesy of Yuri Williams and Rodney Smith Jr.
“It began from [when] I misplaced my mom to an eight-year battle with most cancers in 2009. I fell right into a five-year despair interval and determined to create this nonprofit to service veterans, youngsters with particular wants, youngsters with disabilities, these battling diseases, the hospice neighborhood, seniors and even animals,” Williams informed “Good Morning America.”
As they did in 2017, 2018 and final 12 months, the duo began their trek in Kentucky with Smith driving them via the continental 48 states, first via the western states earlier than tackling the japanese states after which flying to Alaska. Alongside the way in which, they made residence visits, visited animal shelters, stocked up on toys, took images with every state signal however most significantly, frolicked with the individuals and animals who wanted it essentially the most.
Courtesy of Yuri Williams and Rodney Smith Jr.
Smith stated their mission is to make a distinction and it’s what retains the each of them going, even once they barely get any sleep within the course of.
This previous Monday, they accomplished their remaining go to for 2022 within the Aloha State, the place they met two youngsters in want at a Marriott resort in Waikiki, together with 6-year-old Jaysden.
Jaysden was identified with medulloblastoma, a mind tumor most cancers, in April and has obtained proton radiation remedy. He’s additionally present process chemotherapy, in keeping with his mother Xena Kaeo.
Though shy, his mother stated her son was shocked and excited to be showered with presents from Williams and Smith, together with his favourite – Pokémon playing cards.
Courtesy of Yuri Williams and Rodney Smith Jr.
“It made his Christmas rather more brighter,” Kaeo informed “GMA,” including that he opened some items however is saving the remainder for Christmas.
“He was sort of shocked at first inside since you might simply inform on his face like, ‘Wow, this can be a lot of toys’ and it took a minute for him to heat up however after after a few minutes, he started to heat up and discuss to us and simply share how completely happy he was,” Williams added.
Courtesy of Yuri Williams and Rodney Smith Jr.
Kaeo stated she was so moved by the generosity of A Future Tremendous Hero and Associates and the Secret Santa Challenge of Hawaii, which helped coordinate the assembly, that she couldn’t cease crying when Jaysden was shocked together with his presents. “I used to be very overwhelmed with pleasure,” she stated and she or he’s grateful to each organizations for making her solely youngster’s Christmas one to recollect.
Williams has since returned to his residence in California however is already wanting ahead to 2023. He hopes to make A Future Tremendous Hero and Associates his full-time focus.
“I do not look to receives a commission to do that. It is simply therapeutic for me for shedding my mom, simply holding her identify alive by doing this,” he stated.
“My 14-year-old daughter … yearly I ask her if it it’s OK if I am going, , go away for a minimum of 20 days. If she tells me no, I will not go, however she all the time provides me the green-light and says, ‘Do your greatest, Dad. Go assist these different individuals,’” Williams stated. “She’s an enormous supporter of me as nicely.”
