RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - One man. Many noble deeds.
“I felt obligated and responsible to do something to help,” Tamir Rock said. “One person can definitely make a difference.”
Tamir Rock (right) chats with man in Monroe Park (PHOTO: RVA Feed the City)
Tamir Rock always considered himself a generous person, but the graphic artist from Richmond yearned to create even more good will.
“I feel that everyone has an obligation to give back in some way,” Tamir said.
Tamir noticed something he never thought twice about -homelessness in the Richmond area. On Thanksgiving in 2009, he and a friend carried bologna and cheese sandwiches to Monroe Park to help the less fortunate.
“We came out and fed about 30 people,” Tamir said. “There was no plan to continue Feed the City. I thought it was going to be a one-time event.”
Tamir’s small, selfless act snowballed. Today, along with hundreds of volunteers and donated item, Tamir’s “RVA Feed the City” events provide clothing and other essentials, including haircuts four times a year.
“Every year it seems to grow bigger,” Tamir said. “This past year there was a guy who got a new pair of shoes for the first time in seven years. We were able to give him a new pair of Reeboks and you would have thought it was a million dollars.”
The 31-year old has tackled the issue of homelessness head-on certainly not for fame and fortune.
“There a lot of things I get out of it. I don’t make money doing this. It is just something I’m passionate about doing,” he said. “The satisfaction I get is the ‘Thank you. You changed my day. You changed my week. You changed my life.’”
Tamir credited his parents for instilling in him a sense of compassion. He hopes his acts inspire others to give back.
“When I’m coming out to Monroe Park I feel like I’m supposed to be doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” he said.
He said he is proof positive one small idea can change many lives.
“Just seeing where we were five years ago and where we are now it makes me happy that we’re changing the city here,” Tamir said. “When you see that what you’re doing is not just helping the people but also the people that have never experienced anything like that before it is the greatest feeling ever.”
In June, Tamir and some volunteers are taking “RVA Feed the City” on the road. He will set up a temporary “Feed the City” organization on the streets of Los Angeles.
Greg McQuade and CBS 6 News are featuring local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
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