Savannah organizations unite for 10th annual Thanksgiving giveaway

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Organizations around the city joined forces to give back to the community Saturday as turkeys, ham and hot meals were distributed by Fields Barbeque for the tenth year in a row.

The Billy Fields Jr. Foundation partnered with multiple other organizations this year for their 10th annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Ham giveaway. Over 200 turkeys and 100 hams were given out to community members along with a hot meal prepared by Fields Barbeque.

“We’re serving this great community on behalf of my late brother, Billy Fields. This is one the ways of us giving back for the holiday season,” said Korenea Fields, CEO of Billy Fields Foundation.

Multiple foundations honor lost community members

In addition to the Billy Fields Jr. Foundation, multiple other organizations such as Free Lunch Baby and the Darren Lewis Foundation took part in the event. All of the organizations were founded in memory of a community member who lost their life.

Kareem Smalls, known as Free Lunch Baby, was killed in 2020.

“It’s just to keep their names alive, really,” said Kimberly Fields, owner of Fields Barbeque.

Family is as important as ever during the holidays, and the season of giving is celebrated with full hearts in this tight knit community.

Continuing legacies through giving

Smalls’ mother hopes to continue her son’s legacy.

“My son, he was a giver so this helps me to kind of keep his legacy alive by just help giving. The Fields Foundation has really kind of helped me to keep going and to focus on his legacy that he left behind,” said Lavaina Smalls, Kareem Smalls’ mother.

Kathy Lewis said she’s happy to be a part of the event, hoping to honor her late husband Darren who was killed early this year.

“Darren was such a giving person, and I just know that he would be smiling in Heaven giving back to the community,” said Kathy Lewis, founder of Darren Lewis Foundation.

“Anytime you’re able to give and give back into the community, it’s a wonderful feeling,” Korenea Fields said.