Milwaukee moms hold annual school supply giveaway in honor of children lost to gun violence

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - On Tuesday afternoon, part of 26th St. in Milwaukee was closed for an annual block party giveaway put on by three mothers who have each lost a child to gun violence.

Shannon Allen’s son, Deandre, died in 2016.

“The last 8-9 years have been very hard and tragic on me, but what I do is turn my pain into purpose,” Allen said. “We come back into the community, we give back, and we try to be a positive impact.”

Gloria Nichols lost her son, Robert, on Aug. 19 in 2014.

“I do it because when he died, a kid came to me and said that Robert always bought their stuff for school,” Nichols said. “I do it every Aug. 19, if it rains, if it’s sunny, if it’s cloudy, I’m still out here Aug. 19.”

The block party has not missed a year since 2015 and aims to carry Robert’s legacy and give back to the community ahead of the school year.

“To see all the kids out here with the smiles on their faces, it just lightens up my day. Even though this is a sad day for me, it still brings closure to me,” Nichols said.

The mothers also want the block party to be a symbol of the community trying to end gun violence throughout the city.

“We come back into the community, we give back and we try to be a positive impact,” Allen said. “Trying to steer these children in a more positive way than the negative things they are enhancing.”

Sierra Hampton and her family moved to 26th St. around the beginning of this year.

“It means a lot that the kids can play outside once again with each other, in the bouncy house, and not have to worry about looking left or right,” Hampton said. “It shows that I’m not the only one wanting to end the gun violence.”