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Relief Gang gives toys to families in need Christmas morning

By Ivory Hecker, FOX 26 News
Published  December 25, 2017 5:58pm CST
News
FOX 26 Houston

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Rapper Trae Tha Truth's Relief Gang handed out thousands of gifts to families in need Christmas morning, teaming up with a former Texans football player to make it happen.

The group adopted about 200 families in need, inviting them to the Relief Gang warehouse to pick up Christmas presents.

Former Houston Texans running back Arian Foster pitched in to help pay for the gifts and load them into people's cars on Christmas Day.

"We funded most of it, and then yesterday Arian Foster came, and he matched what we did, so now we have more than enough gifts," said Trae Tha Truth, co-founder of the Relief Gang nonprofit group.

"I got quite a few gifts, quite a few nice gifts for the kids," said Jackie Cooper, one of the gift recipients. "I really appreciate it. I follow Trae on Instagram and everything. I try to support him. He's a blessing to us you know."

Cooper says her home experienced damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and she's grateful for the extra help getting gifts this year for her eight grandchildren.

"We got this toy from Relief Gang and Trae," said Lauren Detana, holding up a box that contained a shiny new doll for her two-year-old daughter Aaliyah.

Her little family struggled to buy Christmas gifts after Hurricane Harvey destroyed their home.

"We got about four-and-a-half to five feet of water within 24 hours of the first day it started raining," said Jacob Rivas, Aaliyah's father who was there at the Relief Gang warehouse to help his daughter pick out presents. "We were probably about a mile away from Greens Bayou. We live in Humble, and we didn't think it would get that high. We had just purchased the property. I tried to go back the next day to see if there's any belongings I could save, and I ended up walking in chest high water to see my home, you know. Everything was gone."

Jacob, Lauren and little Aaliyah say they're currently living in a family member's garage.

"For Trae and Arian to take time to come out and give to us--it really means a lot," said Lauren.

Relief Gang and Foster spent several hours handing out gifts today, but Trae Tha Truth says they still have more presents to give away.

If your family is in need, or if you'd like to donate to the work Relief Gang is doing, send an email to reliefgang@gmail.com.