TAMPA, Fla. — Most individuals like to obtain presents on their birthday, however not Dr. Xernona Clayton; she likes to give.
The civil rights leader turned 92 this month, and it’s turn out to be a birthday custom for her to journey from her house in Atlanta to Tampa to give again.
“I came one year, and that one year was so good I came back another year and repeated it,” said Clayton. “I bring about 100 people. I got friends all over the country.”
Her latest visit included a trip to Metropolitan Ministries, where she dropped off supplies at their food pantry inside the family support center.
“You can’t solve all the problems, but you don’t have to. If everybody did a little bit, we’d have everything solved,” stated Clayton.
Clayton is carrying on the rules of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who she labored with throughout the civil rights motion.
“Very enthralling because every day you’d learn something, you’d think you’d know it all, and you heard him talk, and you found out you didn’t know it all, and he gave us food for thought,” stated Clayton.
Volunteers and employees at Metropolitan Ministries have been keen to give Dr. Clayton a hug or snap a fast selfie. They even sang comfortable birthday.
“I felt like I literally was with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when she was here, so that was exciting,” stated Jalem Robinson, Director of Community Collaboration.
Robinson stated a go to like that is such a lift for morale. The household assist heart serves 190 purchasers every week.
“To see her here today is a testament that the work must go on. There is still work to do, and we have to be the ones to do it,” stated Robinson.
“I kind of hold my head down because I can get a big head, they make me feel important, and I am important for a purpose; I’m the one that says, ‘lets go, let’s do it,” stated Robinson.