Amazon and the Ascend Foundation hosting 'Christmas in November' giveaway

All right, a massive giveaway event making sure families in need have help. Hello? Hello? Checking the mic? Just making sure the microphones work. I talk loud enough, though. Massive giveaway event, making sure families in need have a happy holiday season. The Clarence E. Phillips Ascend Foundation and Amazon have teamed up to give away nearly $3 million worth of toys, clothes, electronics, and more. For Kano Phillips, the president and CEO of the foundation is here along with Ian Kahn, Conyers, Amazon's head of community engagement, are both here. Gentlemen, thank you so much. Let me start with you, Kano. It is always great to see you. Talk about the organization and what we're trying to do here. Well, Ryan, this is all about trying to go ahead and touch as many people as humanly possible. You know, holidays can always be so trying for so many different individuals. And so we're just looking to build a vehicle. platform to make sure we make things as easy as possible, take a little weight off of people for the holiday season. And so that's what we've been able to go ahead and do with Amazon. That's why I can't, words can't express how much I appreciate them understanding the assignment, knowing what it looks like to go ahead and be philanthropic and give back to a community that they set their roots in. And they have been. It's absolutely epic in their efforts. You know, Ian, so many people think of Amazon as this global operation, but you guys come into the communities that you live in and work in and really dive in. Can you talk about that aspect of it for you? Absolutely. You know, it's been an amazing partnership over the past several years to be able to not only show up as a great employer, but as a great neighbor, specifically in Pontiac. We've been contributing over the past five years over $7 million of donated products. Came into our fulfillment center, which, by the way, is on the old Silverdome grounds. We're super excited about that. And partnering with KO and the Ascend Foundation has been a really great way to do it. You know, you talk about all the employees you have as well, I'm sure it's a great opportunity for them to dive into the communities as well and give back in terms of that. Absolutely. You know, we've got over 20,000 Amazonians across the state of Michigan, with so many right here in Metro Detroit, and it's only through their hard work that we're able to How can our viewers help you? Listen, this is really one of those things where it's all hands on deck, Ryan. The reality is we can have all the product in the world, but we don't have the volunteer base to be able to go ahead and line up and work those stations to make sure we accommodate those individuals coming in. It just doesn't work. So if someone wants to go and volunteer in, all they have to do is either go ahead and give me a call up. I hate to put my phone up. I don't know. I'll give you an open line, 248-434-8045. Give us a phone call up. We can go ahead and make sure we get you lined up with what we're doing from a setup standpoint, which is Saturday, and then also for the big day on Sunday. You've been doing this for a number of years now. How much fulfillment do you get out of this and all of the volunteers as well? Because you're truly helping real people in need. Well, this is amazing from a standpoint that, you know, Look, all of us is one bad IRS call away from being in a bad situation. So what is it we could potentially do as if it was me that was going through that or one of your loved ones going through it? So that's what we're trying to do, make it something that is inviting. And because we don't want people coming in. When you come in and we're lending a hand up, it's not for us to go ahead and make you feel like you're being given something. It's to make you feel like you're coming into a family festive environment to go ahead and take advantage of what it is we're able to go ahead and do. And I feel so honored to be able to team up. with Amazon to be able to provide that. Kano, Ian, thank you both so much for doing what you do. Thanks so much for sharing the message. Again, for more information, theascendfoundation.org, or you can call Kano's cell phone number. All right. November, the day of giving. It's happening this Sunday.