Fathers In Hip Hop hand out 'Christmas blessing' at Walmart in Victorville

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·2 min read
Super Walmart shoppers in Victorville were surprised when the Fathers In Hip Hop nonprofit gave out thousands of dollars in store gift cards just before Christmas.
Super Walmart shoppers in Victorville were surprised when the Fathers In Hip Hop nonprofit gave out thousands of dollars in store gift cards just before Christmas.

A group of Super Walmart shoppers in Victorville were surprised when they were given thousands of dollars in store gift cards just before Christmas.

Fathers In Hip Hop Founder Scott “Justified” Smith told the Daily Press that on Dec. 23, he, Victorville Mayor Debra Jones and his team partnered to hand out $3,000 worth of Walmart gift cards to random fathers and families at the big box store on Palmdale Road.

Smith, Mayor Jones and a crew of volunteers walked the isles of Walmart, handing out $25, $50 and $100 gift cards to unsuspecting shoppers, he said.

Fathers In Hip Hop Founder Scott “Justified” Smith and Victorville Mayor Debra Jones handed out thousands of dollars in store gift cards on Dec. 23 at the Super Walmart on Palmdale Road in Victorville.
Fathers In Hip Hop Founder Scott “Justified” Smith and Victorville Mayor Debra Jones handed out thousands of dollars in store gift cards on Dec. 23 at the Super Walmart on Palmdale Road in Victorville.

“You could feel the joy in the air as multiple families were surprised with a Christmas blessing from Fathers In Hip Hop and Mayor Jones,” Smith said. “In a time of recession and financial hardships, what an awesome way for these families to experience a Christmas blessing.”

Fathers In Hip Hop and Group Economics created the “Blessed in the Mess Christmas” campaign to raise the funds for the Walmart outreach, Smith said.

Smith said that in 12 days, he and his team were able to reach their fundraising goal by receiving small donations from several people in their network and support system, proving the nonprofit’s theory that “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Walmart Christmas charity Walmart shoppers in Victorville were surprised when Fathers In Hip Hop gave out free store gift cards for Christmas.

Fathers in Hip Hop

In 2017, Smith created Fathers In Hip Hop to show young men the importance of being a part of their children's lives.

Since then, the nonprofit has provided special activities for children without parents, or those from a single parent family.

In addition to special activities, FIHH does outreach with young fathers to discuss the importance of being present in their children’s lives.

Over the years, several well-known hip hop and rap artists have attended the sessions and discussed their own experiences and definitions of fatherhood.

Smith said he took his stage name “Justified” because to him it means “being righteous in faith.” And he has faith in the future – faith in his ability to continue being an involved father, faith to continue to grow his successful music career and faith to continue the work of FIHH.

Smith said through faith, he hopes to be “a blessing for the High Desert community.”

For more information on Fathers In Hip Hop, visit facebook.com/fathersinhiphop or on Instagram @fathersinhiphop.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Fathers In Hip Hop bring 'Christmas blessing' at Walmart in Victorville