Even from his prison cell, Richard Wershe, Jr., the man law enforcement and the media dubbed White Boy Rick, is trying to help his community by having a holiday turkey drive. The goal is to provide meals for some of the residents in Rick's old neighborhood on Detroit's east side. The holidays can be tough on families who already struggle throughout the year. Rick is aware that there are others who are in need and could use a helping hand. He's trying to spread the giving spirit of the holidays and give something back to the community where he was raised.
Despite the fact that he has been locked down unjustly for 28 years in Michigan's penal system for a nonviolent drug offense that he should have been paroled from a long time ago. But due to the corrupt police officers he testified against in the biggest police corruption case in U.S. history he is still incarcerated while the state lets out murderers and rapists.
The Richard Wershe Holiday Turkey Drive started in 2012. The catalyst was that Rick wanted to help people in his hometown around the holidays so donations were collected and then given to needy families in Detroit.
His lifelong friend Dave Majkowski says about Rick.
Rick is a very giving, generous and compassionate person so this is just Rick being Rick. He loves to try to help others and that's a desire he's had from a young age. Rick didn't grow up rich but he knew there were others worse off than him and his family. His grandparents grew up during the depression so they stressed that a community coming together can help people overcome difficult times. Rick is just continuing something that he's been involved with for a long time.
Thirty Two turkeys and thirty two bags of frozen fries were dropped off at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 13031 CHANDLER PARK DRIVE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48213 for families before Thanksgiving and Rick and Dave want to get more food for families for Christmas.
Richard Wershe says about the Turkey Drive-
We do it because there are people out there that don't have anything to eat and they count on these donations. Whatever a person can give $5, $10, $50, $100 whatever you can afford we appreciate. It all goes to the Lutheran Church on the east side of Detroit. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a holiday meal so even from in here if I can help some people I feel good about. That is why I have done it for the past several years. Its just something that I like doing to help others. I appreciate whatever anybody can do. Everything that is donated is 100% accounted for. Even if people want to donate directly to the church I feel good about that as well. Its in the neighborhood where I grew up.
For those who want to learn more about the Richard Wershe Turkey Drive you can go here.
People can also donate by sending a paypal donation to freerichardwershejr@gmail.com using "Free Rick" in the subject.