Help Support Veteran Mr. Drake & Replace Equipment
Donation protected
Thomas Drake, a retired Marine and Vietnam Veteran was recently featured in a Pittsburgh Current article by Brittany Hailer for the racist harassment he has been receiving at the hands of one neighbor that moved across the street 3 years ago and the Churchill Police Department.
The police have been called on Mr. Drake more than 100 times since the neighbor moved in. Despite the volume of calls and there never being any issues, the police continued to show up at Mr. Drake's house every time his neighbor called. In addition, the neighbor has shouted racial slurs not only at Mr. Drake, but also his grandchildren. At one point, the neighbor told Mr. Drake, “I wish you would die," and told his 12-year old granddaughter “You ignorant black assholes. You n—-s need to learn your place.”
While Mr. Drake gets along with all his other neighbors, he is the only Black resident on his street, and none of them have spoken up for him or come to his defense. After finding out about Mr. Drake's story, we were moved to take action to show Mr. Drake that he has a community of folks who support him. Felicity Williams has been in contact with Mr. Drake directly, as well as the article author Brittany Hailer, to make sure that any action has his blessing and is in alignment with his wishes.
Mr. Drake is moved by how many people care and is so selfless in wanting to focus more on the children in the neighborhood rather than himself. Mr. Drake has play equipment in his yard that he welcomes all neighborhood children to play on. Unfortunately, that equipment has been damaged. Mr. Drake's boat was also damaged, but thankfully he has insurance that covered repairs. While Mr. Drake can't prove the damage is from his neighbor, he has his suspicions.
Based on Mr. Drake's wishes we are raising money for the following:
1) Swing set for the children to play on
2) Two mobile basketball hoops for the children to play basketball
3) Security camera/lights to protect the new equipment from future damage
Basketballs are being donated. Any other play equipment that would like to be donated is much appreciated!
Once the money is raised and the equipment is purchased we will host an installation gathering at Mr. Drake's house with hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks as per Mr. Drake's wishes. Mr. Drake has emphasized that we need to all wear masks, social distance, make sure we have hand sanitizer on hand, and follow all other COVID-19 protocols. Please remember that Mr. Drake is 69 and lives with the complications of herbicide, or Agent Orange poisoning, which includes and is not limited to arthritis, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, as well as PTSD. So we have to take all precautions to both show support and keep him safe!
Partners: Leonard Hammonds, Hammonds Initiative; Felicity Williams, Esq.; Fawn Walker Montgomery, Take Action Mon Valley; Terrence Bennett; Camille Redman; and Eric Howze, No Hero Left Behind.
You can read the article with Mr. Drake's full story here: https://www.pittsburghcurrent.com/racist-actions-in-neighborhoods-across-the-city/?fbclid=IwAR1S33DElVffQZNFYConvslzDfp59glI1mTnNW54aQdo0VUSW2Q5b48xTkM
We thank you for your support of this initiative. Every donation will help, but if you can't donate, please share with your networks.
The police have been called on Mr. Drake more than 100 times since the neighbor moved in. Despite the volume of calls and there never being any issues, the police continued to show up at Mr. Drake's house every time his neighbor called. In addition, the neighbor has shouted racial slurs not only at Mr. Drake, but also his grandchildren. At one point, the neighbor told Mr. Drake, “I wish you would die," and told his 12-year old granddaughter “You ignorant black assholes. You n—-s need to learn your place.”
While Mr. Drake gets along with all his other neighbors, he is the only Black resident on his street, and none of them have spoken up for him or come to his defense. After finding out about Mr. Drake's story, we were moved to take action to show Mr. Drake that he has a community of folks who support him. Felicity Williams has been in contact with Mr. Drake directly, as well as the article author Brittany Hailer, to make sure that any action has his blessing and is in alignment with his wishes.
Mr. Drake is moved by how many people care and is so selfless in wanting to focus more on the children in the neighborhood rather than himself. Mr. Drake has play equipment in his yard that he welcomes all neighborhood children to play on. Unfortunately, that equipment has been damaged. Mr. Drake's boat was also damaged, but thankfully he has insurance that covered repairs. While Mr. Drake can't prove the damage is from his neighbor, he has his suspicions.
Based on Mr. Drake's wishes we are raising money for the following:
1) Swing set for the children to play on
2) Two mobile basketball hoops for the children to play basketball
3) Security camera/lights to protect the new equipment from future damage
Basketballs are being donated. Any other play equipment that would like to be donated is much appreciated!
Once the money is raised and the equipment is purchased we will host an installation gathering at Mr. Drake's house with hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks as per Mr. Drake's wishes. Mr. Drake has emphasized that we need to all wear masks, social distance, make sure we have hand sanitizer on hand, and follow all other COVID-19 protocols. Please remember that Mr. Drake is 69 and lives with the complications of herbicide, or Agent Orange poisoning, which includes and is not limited to arthritis, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, as well as PTSD. So we have to take all precautions to both show support and keep him safe!
Partners: Leonard Hammonds, Hammonds Initiative; Felicity Williams, Esq.; Fawn Walker Montgomery, Take Action Mon Valley; Terrence Bennett; Camille Redman; and Eric Howze, No Hero Left Behind.
You can read the article with Mr. Drake's full story here: https://www.pittsburghcurrent.com/racist-actions-in-neighborhoods-across-the-city/?fbclid=IwAR1S33DElVffQZNFYConvslzDfp59glI1mTnNW54aQdo0VUSW2Q5b48xTkM
We thank you for your support of this initiative. Every donation will help, but if you can't donate, please share with your networks.
Organizer
Felicity Williams
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA