A
Longtime Supporter of President Barack Obama, Gloria Hill, Co-founder and Chair of
the G&E Hill Foundation, was thrilled to receive an invitation to attend
the Holiday Reception at the White House in December 2011. In October
2012, she became the author of a timely new book entitled, VOICES: We Got
Your Back, Mr. President. Over 100 voices in this book speak about the ins,
the outs, the ups and downs of President Barack Obama's long road to the White
House. It is a revealing
account of the never-ending obstructionism from the far right, the bitter Tea
Party faction of the Republican Party, that he was met with right from the
start. A vivid account of it all is presented -- the good, the bad, the ugly, and
the truth.
A Book
Release Party to celebrate the release of her book was held on November 3, 2012, instead of the
Annual Benefit Gala sponsored by G&E Hill Foundation, with sales proceeds
going to support the Foundation's efforts on behalf of children in need. Books
may be purchased by clicking on Merchandise. Click theHow You Can Help section for
other ways to offer your support.
Below
are a few book reviews -- encouraging comments -- given by readers of VOICES:
We Got Your Back, Mr. President:
"What a great book! A very engaging and revealing narrative about
President Barack Obama's long and rocky road to the White House. Emotional
walls. Over 100 voices … Get it together, girl … Whew!!! All I can say is, 'Well
done, lady that wrote it!' I haven't even finished reading and my eyes are
glassy like ah mug! Already see this is going to be a good read. And what great
book to read! about our president!" Debbie Pearson, Office Assistant, Balmar Printing, Falls Church,
VA (from Facebook)
"When
I started reading VOICES:
We Got Your Back, Mr. President,
I couldn't put it down. Fantastic! This
is a great book that should be read worldwide!" Sheila Billups, Beth-EL
Temple Church Member, Baltimore, MD
"What an accomplishment! A truly
inspiring story. The Author, Gloria
Hill, has created quite a compelling
read in VOICES: We Got Your
Back, Mr. President." Johny Mae Bispham, Former Federal Government Employee, York, PA
"Historic!
Wonderful! Fantastic! I love it! How the author of VOICES:
We Got Your Back, Mr. President could have gathered and brought us so much vital information
since 2008 election of President Obama is amazing! The "voices" included in
this book bring us the real story." Joan M. Pratt, CPA and City
Comptroller, Baltimore, MD
"I found VOICES: We Got Your Back, Mr.
President to be not only inspiring but full of facts. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this unique book. I
can't wait to read VOICES 2…" Laura Wallace, Retired
FederalGovernment Employee,
Baltimore, MD
"VOICES: We Got Your Back, Mr. Presidentis such an
inspirational readthat I highly
recommend it. A must read to everyone interested in learning the truth
about the numerous obstacles that some Republicans and fringe groups of that
party relentlessly put in the way of President Obama fulfilling his promise to
America." Felicia Diggs, Librarian, Baltimore, MD
"This book really tells it like it is (was) through all of its 100 plus voices. This author
is to be commended for putting it all together for us. A book to be read and praised. An historic keepsake!"Betty J. Hall Tucker, Theatrical Producer, Carlisle, SC
"I
recently read the book, VOICES: We Got Your Back, Mr. President,
and I've been telling folks about it, as well. I love it!" Ivan Jackson, Wheelock College Student, Boston, MA
PRESS RELEASE - November 26, 2011
2nd Annual Hope & Happiness Benefit Gala (Baltimore, Maryland)
(click here to read local news article about the ongoing mission of the G&E Hill Foundation)
Gloria and Eddie Hill, Co-founders of the G&E Hill Foundation, hosted its 2nd Annual Hope & Happiness Benefit Gala to aid children in need, on November 26, 2011, at The Pikesville Community Hall, in Pikesville, Maryland. Ernestine Jones, host of Gospel Grace that airs on 88.9 FM radio (WEAA) every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., once again did a fantastic job presiding over the festivities. All in attendance had a great time, from Baltimore City Comptroller, Joan M. Pratt, the event Co-chairperson, to the planning committee, to the invited guests. (to see Benefit Gala pictures, click on Gallery)
During the affair, many of the Foundation's child sponsors were recognized. Those in attendance were presented a Certificate of Appreciation, as well as a small token gift of appreciation for their sponsorship of a young orphan in Haiti. There was also a surprise Bicycle Giveaway. Brand new bicycles were presented to several families in need that were in attendance -- a great way to kick off the Foundation's 2011 Christmas Bicycle Giveaway for children in need. Many of the guests pledged to sponsor some of the over 700,000 children left orphaned by the tragic earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. The need continues to be great. As always, the co-founders, staff and volunteers of the G&E Hill Foundation are deeply grateful to all who came out to lend their support on behalf of impoverished, repressed and disadvantaged children here at home and beyond America's borders.
PRESS RELEASE - October 25, 2010
Ist Annual Hope & Happiness Benefit Gala - October 29, 2010 (Baltimore, MD)
Gloria and Eddie Hill, Co-founders of the G&E Hill Foundation, were delighted that everyone had a blast on October 29, 2010 at The Forum in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Foundation kicked off its 1st Annual Hope & Happiness Benefit Gala to aid children in need. Ernestine Jones, host of Gospel Grace that airs on 88.9 FM radio (WEAA) every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., did a fantastic job presiding over the festivities. All in attendance had a great time, from Baltimore City Comptroller, Joan M. Pratt, the event Co-chairperson, to the planning committee, to the gifted performers that included the Damon Antonio Singers and Dancers, the EBC Mime Group and Praise Dancers, Comedian, Robert Richardson, DJ, Jerry Stamper and Travis Winkey Company Models. (to see Benefit Gala pictures, click on Gallery)
The piece de resistance proved to be the wonderful group of people, who came out to support theFoundation's mission of bringing hope and happiness to children in need. Many of them stepped up and agreed to sponsor some of the over 700,000 children left orphaned by the tragic earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. The G&E Hill Foundation's co-founders, staff and volunteers are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up that night to lend their support on behalf of impoverished, repressed and disadvantaged children.
(click here to read letter of praise that, then, Senator Barack Obama wrote to the G&E Hill Foundation in 2007)
The Foundation has as its primary mission the betterment of all children in need.The purpose of this special event is to raise much-needed funds to fulfill its mission of helping children in need, including the orphans in Haiti who lost their mothers, fathers, and in some cases their entire families in the deadly earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
How:
By donating brand new bicycles, gifts and toys each Christmas to underprivileged children, ages 4 to 16 years
By following the academic progress of its bicycle recipients and awarding college scholarships to those having earned a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), or higher by the time they graduate from high school
By enriching the lives of impoverished and repressed children, whose families have been adversely affected by natural disasters, and enhancing their chance of becoming independent, healthy and productive citizens of their country and of the world
Why:
Gloria Hill, Co-founder and Chair of the G&E Hill Foundation, grew up as a poor child who never got a bicycle of her own because her family could not afford to buy her one. So today, she enjoys giving bicycles to other children in need. Seeing their eyes light up and the bright smiles on their faces upon receiving that coveted brand new bicycle, makes up for all the times that, as a child, she wanted but never got a bicycle of her own. Her heart remains with all children in need, because she once was one.
What:
1st Annual Hope & Happiness Benefit Gala Ã????Ã???Ã??Ã?Ã'¢?? The G&E Hill Foundation celebrates its 5th year as a charitable foundation dedicated to bringing hope and happiness to children in need. A great cause - Great entertainment - Great food - Great fun - was had by all who attended this special event! (see Announcement: 2010 Benefit Gala)
Where:
The Forum Caterers, 4210 Primrose Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21215
Port-au-Prince, Haiti -- June 28 and 29, 2010
Rooting for Haiti Trip: An Eye-opening Experience
(By: Gloria Hill)
As upsetting as it was watching the reports on television of the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010, being there and seeing it firsthand upset me even more. It is unfathomable how the Haitian people are managing to live there among the dust, debris and gravel -- piles of crumbled rocks, bricks and stones. Yet, they remain resilient and try to go on with their lives. Millions are still living in tiny shanties and shacks no bigger than my tool shed (which is in better condition). The sweltering heat (above 95 degrees) and extremely high humidity during the two days we were there only added to the misery. Tarps covered most of the shanties in order to keep things from becoming more unbearable in the event of a heavy rainfall. Even the top portion of the Capital building housing the President of the Republic of Haiti, René Prval, had been toppled by the earthquake and was still in need of repair.
The four of us -- Eddie (my husband and our amateur photographer), Joseph Geffrard, a native of Haiti, who now lives in Columbia, MD, and our translator), Vivian Lakes (our spiritual guide and point-person) and I were eager to set out on this goodwill mission in order to reach out to some of the orphanages in Port-au-Prince. Our goal: to offer relief aid for the orphans left motherless and/or fatherless by this deadly disaster. Prior to the earthquake, there were 300,000 Haitian orphans. Now there are over 700,000.They desperately need all the help they can get. But help is slow in coming. Of the many countries that initially pledged millions for the recovery, only two to three percent of them have come through and delivered the urgently needed financial aid they promised.
Getting to the orphanage was no small task. Having Joe Geffrard along with us turned out to be a blessing. Besides the fact that, because of my limited ability to commutate in French, Joe was there to translate for us the Creole spoken by the native Haitian people, he also had enlisted our driver, Clebert, to transport us around the island, which was no easy task. The roadways were still in horrendous condition. Whenever the van stopped along the way, little children would crowd around our van, stick their hands in the window and beg us in Creole, "Donnez-moi, ,,, sil vous plait." After so many handouts, regrettably, we had to ignore them. Poor children were everywhere.
We were not prepared for the sheer poverty and desperate conditions that we would witness along the way. Words cannot adequately describe the sights and sounds that we encountered. The sight of a man (a father, I presume) having to walk his little 3 or 4-year old daughter to a spot beside a tent where, out in the open, she squatted and began urinating as he stood guard over her, was touching. The many porta-potties around the camps seemed not to be used much. I figured that was because they were so unbearably hot inside, perhaps overloaded, and that the stench of the lingering piles of waste was unbearable - not to mention the nagging flies. Understandably, they chose instead to urinate and/or defecate on the ground outside.
As we were about to pass one camp (at Petionville Golf Club), Clebert informed us that it was one of the main camps that actor, Sean Penn, had vigorously dug in to try to help. So we decided to stop. 12,000 people were living in small tents in this camp. The image of gigantic vats of water placed there to quench the thirst of the residents caught my eye, as well as the friendly faces of so many little children, who were running around and playing all over the place. I spoke a bit of French with a few of them. They were amused by this.
While there, we met Fameux Luckner, the camp Director, a very nice and deeply committed man to the mammoth task of restoring his beloved Haiti and its people to normalcy. Also a team of four volunteers, headed by a young lady named Julie, showed up while we were there. She promised to convey to Sean Penn that we had stopped by and that we were there in Haiti to help in any way we could.
Our rough ride traveling to the orphanage from our hotel, La Plaza, took one hour and a half. At the orphanage, which resembled a prison from the outside - a tall brick wall with barbed-wire surrounded it, sadly necessary, due to attempts in past by some to break into the orphanage to steal the babies and sell them -several seemingly happy and content children playing inside the yard greeted us.
As we entered the large entry hall, we were met by the cutest little girl about three years old, who grabbed my hand and looked up at me with the sweetest smile. She proceeded to hold my hand and escort me inside, where we were well-received by its directors. This modest orphanage boasted a seemingly well-managed staff. There are 82 orphans in all - ranging from infants to pre-teens. The second floor held classes for the school-aged children. Plans were put in motion for our organization to sponsor all of the precious orphans of Maison. We took pictures of the children and obtained personal data on each child.
The trip back to the hotel took even longer than it did getting from there to the orphanage. Since our short stay in Port-au-Prince was so limited, we only managed to cover one of the four orphanages that were on our list. A trip back will be made later.
That first morning there in Port-au-Prince had been an eye-opening start. The living conditions, tents right across from where we were staying were appalling. Eddie could not bring himself to violate the privacy of the people there by photographing those he observed washing up in the morning using small basins inside their pitiful tents with openings for all to peer in, or as they used tin buckets for toilets, some in the open right outside their tents. The waste matter would be dumped on the ground in piles that had flies all around it.
Yet, the countless number of displaced Haitians that we met seemed to find a way to smile in spite of the mass destruction they see all around them each day. Soccer, we learned, is a huge release for many, a joyous event for the besieged Haitian people. Crowds gathered to watch the South Africa World Cup soccer match on any TV around. Then after the soccer game was over, they came outside and congregated in the streets -- some cheering, dancing and showing great pleasure that the team they were rooting for had won that day. These jovial crowds became a big part of the difficulty for our driver in navigating through the streets of Port-au-Prince.
Baltimore, Maryland -- December 27, 2007
Local TV channel, Fox 45, aired during its morning news program a segment on the G&E Hill Foundation's Annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. News anchor, Jennifer Gladstone, did a superb job of highlighting the event and the mission of the G&E Hill Foundation --
bringing hope and happiness to children living in poverty (to view photos, click on Gallery). It was mentioned during this brief news segment that hundreds of brand new bicycles - more than 500 -- were presented this year by the G&E Hill Foundation to underprivileged children in Baltimore City and County.
During the segment, a plea on behalf of a grandmother in need was made by Gloria Hill, Co-founder of the G&E Hill Foundation. This very disappointed lady, Mrs. Rose Davage, who had learned of the event too late, decided to call the Foundation. All except two of the hundreds of bicycles donated during the Bicycle Giveaway were gone. The Co-founder then invited her to appear with her on channel 45's news program. She agreed to appear and was quite surprised when, on the show, the two bicycles were presented to her. An added bonus came when a generous donor, Izaac Hester, contacted the G&E Hill Foundation, after watching the show and donated bicycles to the rest of this struggling grandmother's children.
Many thanks to Jennifer Gladstone and News Director, Scott Livingston!!!
Many thanks also to Mr. Izaac Hester of the Baltimore County Police Department and the Baltimore County Vice & Narcotics Squad for coming through in a big way! What a testimony to the generosity of good people!!!
Baltimore, Maryland -- December 15, 2007
The G&E Hill Foundation held its Annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway on
Saturday, December 15th. Over 500 brand new bicycles were distributed
within the Greater Baltimore Area to less fortunate children living in
targeted poor communities. In addition, the Foundation donated bicycles
to the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Program.
Baltimore, Maryland -- October 14, 2007
A GospelFest Extravaganza was held to benefit the G&E Hill Foundation's 1st Annual Bike-A-Tyke Campaign, chaired by Baltimore City Comptroller, Joan M. Pratt. Many thanks to all who came out and supported this worthy cause.
When: Sunday, October 14, 2007, (National Children's Day)
Entertainment by the Unified Voices of Johns Hopkins, a spectacular performing ensemble and gospel choir directed by Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch
Book-signing of Thoroughbred: My House, My Block, by G. Dove Hill, local author and Co-founder of the G&E Hill Foundation
Raffle -- Lucky winners were:
Jonathan R. Williams -- A top-of-the-line 26" bicycle
René Henry -- A DVD Player
Baltimore, Maryland -- October 2, 2007
Comcast TV Channel CN8 aired during its Newsmakers program a segment on the G&E Hill Foundation's Annual Christmas Bicycle Giveaway. Host, Tony Hill, welcomed the Foundation's Co-founder, Gloria Hill, and encapsulated in a wonderful way the 2007 event, as well as the mission of the Foundation of bringing hope and happiness to children living in poverty.
Houston, Texas -- April 2007
Angel Lane Community Information Newsletter
A Letter from the G&E Hill Foundation, page 6
The Angel Lane Administration
The April issue of the Angel Lane Community Information newsletter included "A Letter from the G&E Hill Foundation." This article in the Angel Lane Kid's section of the newsletter presented information about G&E Hill Foundation's Thoroughbred Spirit Bicycle Giveaway and Scholarship Awards programs. To read this and other interesting articles, go online to http://www.angel-lane.org.
Heartfelt thanks to the Angel Lane Administration for including our letter, and congratulations for providing a great service to the Angel Lane community through this invaluable newsletter.
Poet's Newsletter (Excerpt), Baltimore, Maryland -- March 2007
Carolyn Bell Phillips, Editor
"Gloria has accomplished much !! She is an educator, a screenwriter, an inventor, an entrepreneur, and most recently, a published author. Gloria is also founder and CEO of G&E Hill (Foundation), Inc., a non-profit children's charity. It is hoped that we will hear lots more from Gloria. In the meantime, get a copy of her book, Thoroughbred: My House, My Block. I think it's going to be a best seller!"
(to view more book reviews, go to Feedback)
Baltimore, Maryland -- March 1, 2007
Local author, Gloria Hill, held a special fundraising event on Thursday, March 1, 2007, at Karibu Bookstorein Security Square Mall. An invitation was extended to the public to join her Book Release Party in celebration of the release of her book, Thoroughbred: My House, My Block. During the event, she shared her inspirational first novel, written under the penname, G. Dove Hill, based in part on her true-life story. Many turned out to help make this a very successful event. There were appetizers, a reading and book signing by the author. She also shared how overcoming poverty and adversity led her to become co-founder and chairperson of the G&E Hill Foundation, a non-profit children's charity dedicated to the mission of "bringing hope & happiness to poverty's child."
Books were available for sale at $19.95. The majority of the proceeds of the book sales went to support the efforts of the G&E Hill Foundation (for more on this, go to www.GandEHill.org-- to view photos, click Gallery).
Houston, Texas -- December 23, 2006
In partnership with Oprah's Angel Network, the G&E Hill Foundation presented the young survivors of Hurricane Katrina (and Rita) -- the children of displaced families now living on Angel Lane in Houston, Texas -- with brand new bicycles & Treasure Boxes of gifts and toys. Elves & More, a similarly-committed children's charity based in Houston, joined in helping with the donations, delivery and distribution. Santa was there, too.
Cheers went up from the Angel Lane families upon receiving an unexpected surprise -- the announcement that the G&E Hill Foundation plans to award its first college scholarships in 2008 to deserving Angel Lane students who graduate from high school with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher.
Several local TV news segments featured Elves & More and its mission of delivering over 20,800 bicycles and 5,000 Treasure Boxes of gifts and toys to thousands of underprivileged children in the Greater Houston area. Joining them and witnessing such massive generosity in operation was an awesome sight for the founders of the G&E Hill Foundation. This experience reinforced the Hills determination going forward to reach at least as many children, and more, if possible (to view photos, go to Gallery).
Baltimore, Maryland --December 16, 2006
Local TV channel, Fox 45, aired a news segment that highlighted the G&E Hill Foundation's Christmas Bicycle Give-Away, where over 100 underprivileged children in the very neighborhood where the organizations co-founder, Gloria Hill, grew up in a very poor family. The children there were presented with brand new bicycles. News anchor, Karen Parks, did a great job of summing up in a brief capsule the mission of the G&E Hill Foundation -- bringing hope and happiness to children living in poverty -- (to view photos, go to Gallery).
Baltimore, Maryland -- September 4, 2001
Gloria Hill, former Resource Teacher and educator in the Gifted and Talented Program of the Baltimore City Public School System and creator of The Game Of Roots, appeared on a BET program hosted by Cheryl Martin, along with three other guests -- Dr. Edward Joyner, Executive Director of the School Development Program at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. John Jackson, National Director of Education for the NAACP, and in New York, Judith Griffin, National President of a non-profit group, A Better Chance, Incorporated -- in a roundtable discussion of a provocative subject, Are Public Schools Failing Our Children? Should we consider alternative methods of education? With the topic being, Head of the Class - Ensuring Success in School, these four educators weighed in on the best ways to ensure success in the classroom.
Baltimore, Maryland -- February 25, 2001
Gloria Hill appeared on local TV channel 13 on the On Time show hosted by, Kai Jackson. The focus of the show was Roots, because 2001 marked the 25th anniversary of Alex Haley's book, Roots. The updated version of her earlier 1977 creation, a family heritage board game, The Game of Roots, was featured. Also appearing as a guest on this program was Tony Burroughs, the internationally known genealogist and author of Black Roots: A Beginner's Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree.
Like millions of other people, Hill's interest in her family's history grew 25 years ago following "Roots," Alex Haley's epic novel and blockbuster made-for-television movie. "Roots" chronicled Haley's search for his African ancestors and prompted people the world over to trace their family origins. In the ensuing years, more and more families, like Hill's, have reveled in their collective heritage during the hot days of summer at the now-ubiquitous family reunions where games are played and memories are shared.
