By Edward Henderson
For Dalesean Lynch, Christmas as a child consisted of standing in long lines at the American Legion and the Jackie Robinson YWCA waiting for donated toys. He didn’t mind. Because for Lynch, and many other youth in Southeast, the kindness and generosity from those who donated toys was a needed source of joy during a tough upbringing. Today Lynch has his own service organization in ‘Amir Alliance for Success’. Over the holiday, he did his part to create that same joy for children and families who were in need over the holiday.
On December 24th, Amir Alliance held its inaugural toy drive. The organization and its partners collected over 300 toys and distributed them at Sea Breeze Garden and Herbalife in National City to excited and thankful families.
“I wanted to give back and help families in need just like I did when I was young,” said Lynch. “This was my first year doing it so I was a little nervous, but we ended up having a very successful drive. Next year we want it to be even bigger.”
Lynch partnered with a bar in Pacific Beach called PB Avenue to help collect toys. The bar offered a free shot for a donated toy. He also partnered with Sistas Helping Sistas Weather the Storm, an organization provides outreach services to those in need, and Sofattish, a clothing brand based in San Diego to collect toys. Individuals also pitched in to help the cause. Megan Weeks of Del Mar, Maria Echo and Lincoln High Men’s Head Basketball Coach Jeffery Harper-Harris joined in the spirit of giving.
In a video posted from the drive at Herbalife, Lynch was left in tears as a father expressed his gratitude for the drive. This was a needed event because he’d been without work for a few weeks and wasn’t able to provide the kind of Christmas he wanted to for his three children.
“I broke down because this father was trying to provide for his kids and he lost his job,” said Lynch. “I didn’t have my father around growing up and seeing him try so hard to make Christmas for his kids hit home with me a lot.”
Amir Alliance experienced a lot of success in 2016 with the popularity of their ‘Walk Away No Drama Today’ t-shirt catching on with community members and garnering photo opportunities with celebrities like rappers Snoop Dog and Twista. In the New Year, Lynch wants to kick of workshops promoting non-violent resolutions to conflict and speaking engagements at schools along with getting his 501c3 designation.
“I always say this isn’t about income, it’s about outcome. I wake up every morning with a purpose and that’s serving my community.”
To learn more about what Amir Alliance has coming up next, visit their website at www.amirallianceforsuccess.com
