What started off as a simple discussion over lunch less than two weeks ago has turned into an event which will help dozens in Kinston during the holiday season.
Starz Restaurant will have its first annual Christmas at Starz event, serving food and giving away toys and clothes in the community on Saturday, starting at noon.
Felicia Knight, the event coordinator, said there will be enough food for about 100 people, and there will be free clothes and shoes, donated by volunteers.
“We’ve contacted local restaurants — Kinstonian, King’s, Golden Corral and Christopher’s Café — who will donate food for the less fortunate. We’ll also have toys for the children, along with clothes and shoes.
“We’ll also have children making cards for the soldiers overseas. The Red Cross will mail them Monday.”
Starz owner Edward Hardy said he and Knight — his fiancée — were eating lunch with New Life Deliverance pastor Jeanette Rosenboro last Sunday, and the conversation brought forth the concept of the event.
“She told us, ‘I have all these clothes and don’t know want to do with them,’ ” Hardy said. “The sparks started flying then, and we had 10 days to put it all together.”
Despite the short turnaround, Hardy said the basics have all been taken care of due to Knight and great volunteers.
“You have people in your corner, wanting to make this event successful,” Hardy said. “They grabbed the ball and took off running, and we (were) ready (Monday). We would like to gather more toys, but the food and clothes are already taken care of. Felicia really made it happen.
“Between both of us, we get a kick out of helping other people. If we can put a smile on a kid’s face, that’s great. This is what we love to do.”
Rosenboro said she is glad to see the event manifest and the volunteers who helped in the process.
“To me, it’s more like coming together,” Rosenboro said. “We need to do that and help the community. People can be selfish at times, saying ‘if I do this, you have to do this.’ Even people with jobs can’t make ends meet, so we need to be selfless and assist.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
Where: Starz Restaurant, 309 N. Independence St.
When: Saturday at 12 p.m.
Cost: Free