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Back to School Giveaway

n Saturday, August 8, 2020 a nonprofit organization called Building
ORelationships Inside Different Generations and Ethnicities also known
as B.R.I.D.G.E. had a back to school give away at the Monroe Civic Center
to help families in need. Urald King the president of B.R.I.D.G.E was so
excited to see the turnout at the event. It was better than the organization
expected and there were approximately 125 to 150 families that showed
up to the event. B.R.I.D.G.E handed out 100 pre-packaged backpacks and
even though they ended up running out of them they still have supplies left
to give out. The event was a huge success. B.R.I.D.G.E handed out items
such as notebooks, face masks, earphones, hand sanitizer, pencils, etc. King
says they started the event with a word of prayer. Since their organization
is newer being that it is just a few months old they never expected the turn
out to be as successful as it was. It makes the members of B.R.I.D.G.E feel
good to know that the community is supporting them, and it is important
for them to give back. They grew up in these communities and they know
what it is like to watch their parents struggle to get school supplies. With
the COVID-19 pandemic going on the B.R.I.D.G.E organization knew this
was something they could do to ease the burden on the parents of the chil-
dren going back to school. He knew his organization had to step up to the
plate. On behalf of the B.R.I.D.G.E. family they would like to say thank you
and they appreciate everyone’s support. They hope everyone continues to
support them and what they are doing for the communities in the city.

Continued from Page 9
she returned to the States and got a job as a substitute
teacher. After substitute, teaching for some time Jab versity of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) L Club’s Hall of
moved careers and got a job at Wal-Mart starting as a
cashier. Her hard work and dedication earned her the Fame. On November 5, 2016, Johnson got her big day and
ability to be able to move up the ladder and become a was inducted into ULM L Club’s Hall of Fame. Johnson
store manager. Since starting as a cashier at Wal-Mart says winning that honor was a team effort, and she gives
Johnson has now been employed there for over 20 years her teammates the credit. She says she would not have
been able to do any of it without them. Jab also wants to
now.
Jab thanks God every day for giving her this gift; give all the coaches who pushed and supported her along
she has never taken it for granted. Her career in basket- her journey credit. Johnson said she would have never
ball has been very good to her and she has loved every thought in a million years that this would have happened
single minute of it. Especially her time playing overseas to her. All of it was an honor and to have her son Jamie in-
troduce her to receive this award was special. Jab believes
even though it was a real eye opener for her. She loved
traveling to different places and meeting a variety of that anything is possible. As long as you stay focused on
new people. The treatment Jab got while in Spain was your dreams and your goals, you can do whatever you set
unbelievable. It was like the sky was the limit and she your mind on. Never listen to negative people that only
was at the top. Not only did Jab see people that she want to see you fail or struggle and people who do not
mean you any good. Jab says, “At the end of the day my
played against in college, but she also saw people that
were ahead of her in college. While playing overseas she dreams and your dreams are totally different. Always keep
had the opportunity to play in the same gym where they God first and everything else will fall into place. I would
shot the movie Love and Basketball. not take anything away from my journey. The highs or the
In 2016, Jab got a phone call informing her that lows, the ups and downs, because it made me the woman
that I am today.”
she had been nominated to be inducted into the Uni- Page 13