The rap pioneer E-40 moved many years ago from Vallejo to Contra Costa. But the 54-year-old entrepreneur has never forgotten his roots.
This week, the man née Earl T. Stevens let his bank account talk by investing nearly $ 12,000 in turkeys and gift cards into the Vallejo Motors Hottest Out Sunday food giveaway.
It looks like one of the auto club members got word from E-40 as well as Earl Stevens, who told the rapper about the big turkey race and hot food distribution.
“I told him (E-40) that I had just bought a pallet of turkeys and am going to buy another pallet,” said Automobile Club founder Josh Goularthe. “He said, ‘I’ll send $ 6,000 for two pallets.” He basically donated about $ 12,000, including $ 5,000, so that we can give out $ 20 turkey gift cards. ”
Goularthe, 27, gathered a handful of club members in the Vallejo Motors parking lot late Friday night, eagerly awaiting Sunday morning at 11 a.m. until all the turkeys and food are gone.
“We aim to feed 200 people,” Goularthe said. “They drive in, go through one gate, take a turkey, take a burner, or take both and go out.”
While there are no questions here, Goularthe stressed that the community event is for those who are struggling.
“One day a Rolls-Royce drove up to us. It was something like, “Bro, this is for the less fortunate,” said Goulart.
This is the fourth turkey distribution for the Richmond-based car club in its fifth year, which has about 30 members, half of whom live in Richmond and half in Vallejo, Goularté said.
“We all grew up on each other,” Goulart said. “And the E-40 saw what we were doing in the community. He told me: “I have heard a lot of good things about you and heard that you are going to my city.”
Two pallets – 300 turkeys – await a pickup truck from the car club early Sunday morning at Wal-Mart in Martinez, and two pallets are at Wal-Mart American Canyon.
Goularte is happy to contribute to Thanksgiving for many local families.
“I have people from our first, they see me at the grocery store or walk around and say, ‘You were the guy who drove the turkey.’ You made sure that my family and I eat. ” It makes me cry, ”said Goulart. “Someone I didn’t know the day before told me how I influenced their life.”
Hottest Out three-year-old Tim Vandenbrock said helping the less fortunate “definitely brings satisfaction” at his first turkey distribution event.
“You can’t put a price on how you feel,” added Vandenbrock. “It’s pretty cool. They leave and are happy. You cannot beat this. “
“It will be great,” said Automobile Club member Navonate Polk. “Being a part of it this year is very important to me.”
Although Polk admits, “I’m not the biggest fan of turkey,” he understands the symbolism of the bird festival.
“This is a tradition. If you don’t have a turkey there, it’s wrong, ”said Polk.
Albert Davila, 28, praised the E-40, Vallejo Motors and his colleagues.
“There are millionaires who don’t help,” Davila said, stressing that “it’s not so easy to do this now. Therefore, we make sure that all these children have the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving with their family. I know what it is like not to be able to give. “
Vallejo Motors owner Abdel Jarada was more than happy to offer parking and make a donation to the cause.
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We are trying to give something back to the community, ”he said, knowing well about the Hottest Out car club.“I know everyone from the outside. We’re all friends, ”Jarada said, adding that he was“ absolutely thrilled ”to host the event for the first time.
“It’s very important to have a Thanksgiving turkey,” he said. “There are a lot of difficult times now.”
Although E-40 is out of state this weekend, “he said he would like to be here next,” Goularthe said.
The fourth annual hottest trip to Turkey will take place this Sunday at 11 a.m. at Vallejo Motors, 1101 Tennessee St.
