Posted by chicagomedia.org on November 25, 2009 at 15:25:09:
Steve Harvey's Holiday Tour
Media
Tue Nov 24 2009
Steve Harvey is good at making people laugh, but he's also good at something else: giving back.
On Monday, the radio host, actor and best-selling author came to Chicago to spread some holiday cheer. "Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart," said Harvey. For the Thanksgiving holiday, Harvey and his wife, Marjorie, handed out turkeys and turkey sausage to families on Chicago's West Side and in south suburban Markham.
Things were turned up a notch on Tuesday at Kmart, 7050 S. Pulaski, where Harvey did a live broadcast of his syndicated radio program, "The Steve Harvey Morning Show." Harvey, a spokesperson for and collaborator with the retail giant, is part of its "Layaway Angels" program. "I've always been a fan of Kmart," he said. "They are huge supporters of both the radio show and 'Steve Harvey's Mentoring Weekend'. We're in business together because in these [economic] times, I understand the need for layaway. I grew up with it and benefited from it myself." Kmart's commitment to community service is also important to Harvey. "I only put my name on things I'd actually participate in myself, so with Kmart, it really was a natural marriage for us."
Keeping with the spirit of giving, an extra special surprise will be in store for some Kmart customers: To help lighten their holiday load, Harvey, in conjunction with Kmart's "Christmas Countdown," paid off random customers' layaway balances. From now until Christmas, people who come to Kmart to make their layaway payment just may end up being one of the lucky ones with a note that will read, "Paid in full--happy holidays from Steve Harvey."
Now that's giving back.
The Steve Harvey Morning Show airs weekdays from 5am to 9am, on WVAZ-FM (102.7) in Chicago.
- LaShawn Williams, Gapers Block