Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
While the Grinch may have stolen Christmas, Jay ‘Bama’ Moore’s Grinch character has grown his heart more than three sizes over the years. Two local businesses and three 1998 graduates of Stanhope Elmore High School have come together for the first annual Toy Drive to honor Jermaine Moore or Jay ‘Bama’ Moore and his philanthropic efforts.
Others in Texas know Moore as the Grinch of Lubbock. Moore relocated from the River Region to Lubbock Texas in 2013 and created his non-profit organization, Team Bama. Moore has dressed up as the Grinch, uplifting everyone in sight with holiday cheer and known for his generosity in helping his community in Lubbock for the last five years.
“Every day, people struggle with something, and I want to be able to help. So, I formed a nonprofit organization called Team Bama and I never asked anyone to join. They basically asked me to be a part of what I was doing and what I was becoming,” Moore said.
However, Moore’s story and generosity has taken on a whole new meaning since being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in March of 2023. Moore has announced this will be his final performance as the Grinch this holiday season as he starts to focus on his health. Moore stated that he hopes to be able to make people smile while battling through the pain of his illness and that he can also bring others hope that are also fighting unseen battles.
“Regardless of what you may be going through the journey is not yours, you continue to fight and don’t give up. If I can make someone smile for a brief second and take their mind off of whatever problems they have going on in life, then my job has been accomplished. I think it’s amazing. What Bubba Pope and Kim Smith are accomplishing back home. I love that they call me for ideas on how to make their event as successful as possible. We are all classmates and haven’t really talked to each other in years but now we talk to each other at least 3 to 4 times a week. It’s good to know we’re 1000 miles apart but working together,” Moore said.
Moore’s classmates Eddie Pope and Kim Smith have both dedicated their local businesses not only to honor Moore and the legacy he continues to build, but to also give back right here in the River Region community.
“We’re hosting this because there’s a lot of kids that need help in our community. We’ve also partnered with 211 and we’ll be helping children in the Tri-County area. I’m excited about that and I’m excited to be able to make a difference in their life. We’re so thankful for all partnerships and the businesses that have decided to partner with us to make a difference in our community and we’re just excited to make a difference,” Kim Smith said.
Pope, the general manager of Gil’s Auto Sales in Prattville and Kim Smith, owner of Successful Connections Nonprofit in Millbrook have banned together to ensure every kid gets a visit from Santa this year.
“One of his last action’s he’d like to do is to help his hometown. His philanthropy runs much deeper than mine, but I just really wanted to get involved. We want to make sure that Santa makes a visit to as many households as he can this year,” Pope said.
Pope confirmed that the current drop-off locations are at Successful connections at 2472 Main St. in Millbrook, at Gil’s Auto Sales at 521 Old Farm Lane in Prattville as well as at Elmore Autauga News at 3455 Main Street in Millbrook.
The Toy Drive is happening now through December 11th, where the toys will then be distributed from Successful Connections on December 14th and then from Gil’s on December 15th where the Grinch might make a special appearance that day as well.
Pope stating that the most rewarding part of hosting the Toy Drive has not only letting Moore know that he has his back, but Pope stated that Moore has inspired him to start doing more and to help in the community that they both grew up in.
“Being in a position to do something like this means the world to me. Especially with this being the holiday season and knowing that the warmth I can help to radiate to others that are out in the cold is the goal here,” Pope said.
