Purple Champion Group
By: Renisha Battle
Giving back to the community
Members of the Purple Champion Group at the Shoebox Gala 2013
Photo by Juan Richardson
Christmas is a holiday that is spent showing appreciation to love ones throu gh gifts or time spent. It’s a
joyous occasion to celebrate life, health, family, and the
true meaning of Christmas. In celebrating happiness,
sometimes remembering those who are less fortunate
is put to the back of minds until a situation comes to
trigger individuals to do and give more. Organizations
like the Purple Champion Group have banded together
to make sure the misfortunes of others are not forgotten
at the most important holiday of the year.
Purple Champion’s annual Shoe Box Gala was held on
December 14, 2013 at the North Pavilion in Durham,
NC. The Shoe Box Gala partnered with the Durham
Parks and Recreation to bring the community together
to help give children toys and toiletries for the holiday
season. Various business owners and patrons contributed unwrapped gifts to support the Purple Champion
Group.
The group was formed in 2005 and group members
include Phillip Harrington (co-founder), Jamie Patterson
(co-founder), Juan Richardson, Shaka Moore, and Anthony Gayles. These community-oriented, young men,
created the Shoe Box Gala as a way to give back to the
Raleigh-Durham area.
The banquet style event included local vendors, wine
tasting, and a live DJ. What is next for the Purple
Champion Group? The group will continue to grow as
an organization and create new business ventures to
improve the community.
www.simplyelevate.com
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