Hayward’s Hands reaching back into the community

COVID-19 has put the brakes on many of the events that typically go on in and around the Houston County area this time of year. Gatherings have been halted, celebrations have been postponed and parades have been canceled. But one of the events that refused to be totally stopped by the pandemic this year is Hayward’s Hands Thanksgiving Giveaway.

Hayward’s Hands is a nonprofit foundation founded by Trish Hayward and her son—Perry’s own hometown hero—Casey Hayward, Jr., a three-sport star at Perry High School who is now a celebrated cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers. The organization was created with a mission to “inspire.” And according to the official website, when Trish passed away from breast cancer in 2016, her transition only fueled her son “to become even more involved in community initiatives while carrying out his mom’s legacy.”

While Hayward was not physically present at this year’s Thanksgiving giveaway, a team of his supporters were on hand to see that the mission was carried out to the founders’ standards. One of those supporters was Hayward’s dad, Casey Hayward, Sr.

When asked to share his feelings about his son, the father’s reply was, “So proud. I’m just so very proud of him.”

Ashley S. Green, Director of Hayward’s Hands spoke in detail to Houston Home Journal about the day’s event. “Today, Hayward’s Hands is hosting its Seventh Annual Thanksgiving Dinner,” said Green. “We have traditionally hosted the Thanksgiving dinner at a local church, but due to COVID, we decided to come into the community to keep everything socially distant, but to still serve two major populations at large.”

The two populations that Green referenced are the Perry Housing Authority community and the residents of Gatwick Senior Village Apartments. Green mentioned that Perry Housing Authority was chosen as the place to host the event because the location made it possible for them to reach actual families.

“We didn’t want the pandemic to stop us from connecting with people who needed us the most. We knew that here, we could reach an entire community of families,” she explained. “We were looking for an avenue to collaborate with the community stakeholders and carry out this mission.

“Our hope is just that we’re able to bless these families,” Green went on to say. “We’re thankful for Cast Iron Catering Company. They were able to donate all the meals. Our aim is just to use our resources to bless the community. This is Thanksgiving. This is generally a time where people reflect on their loved ones and the time that they’re able to spend with them. For some, it brings joy, and for others—they’re dealing with sadness or grief. We just want to be able to brighten up families.”

Brianna Vias, Catering Manager of Cast Iron Catering (Macon, Ga.), said that even though they are a small business, they were more than happy to participate in the charitable event. Not only did Cast Iron Catering donate all the food, but the workers that were on site to serve were also donating their time.

“This is 100% nonprofitable for us money-wise,” stated Vias, “but we feel a sense of reward in giving like this. They were raised in Macon and Warner Robins, and they’ve always been about giving back to the community” she said of the owners and staff. “So, when this came up, and with COVID making this such a rough year, we thought, what better way to give back than to partake in this?”

Each meal was individually boxed in take-out containers, and those who were served had a choice of three ready-made meals to include: Boston Butt with mashed potatoes, broccoli and carrots; Coca-Cola glazed ham with mashed potatoes, broccoli and carrots or smoked turkey breast with macaroni and cheese and a vegetable medley.

To effectively social distance, those that were served were allowed inside the building one family at a time. Boxed meals were provided to every individual who entered, even the children.

“Ashley reached out to me because their foundation likes to do events like what’s going on here today,” said Toya Harris, Executive Director of Perry Housing Authority. “They wanted a community where people would be in need of a good hot meal this time of the year. She picked our community, which I am so elated about.”

Harris said that she had tried to collaborate with Hayward’s Hands last school term for a back to school bash that she was having, but at the time, the organization was unable to assist. “So, when they decided to revamp the way that they did the Thanksgiving meal distribution due to COVID, Ashley thought of us. This isn’t something that we applied for—they selected us,” Harris expressed.

Hayward’s Hands and Cast Iron Catering had 150 individually boxed meals to hand out Monday, and although the meals were given out on a first come, first serve basis, Harris confirmed that Perry Housing Authority only had 100 residents, so there were enough meals to serve all of its population plus those coming from Gatwick. For those at the senior village that were unable to walk over to get their meals, delivery service was be provided.

I’m just so thankful for this group,” Harris stated. “I’m thankful to Mr. Casey Hayward for having his foundation to do so much for the community. I’m glad they chose Perry Housing Authority for this event this year, and I hope they come back here again next year.”

HHJ News