It’s not just Santa Claus bringing the magic this holiday season.
The duo behind A Future Super Hero and Friends is making sure underserved children, older adults, veterans and even animals are getting some Christmas and holiday cheer this December.
This is the fourth year Yuri Williams and his partner, Rodney Smith Jr., have crisscrossed 50 states in 20 days to connect with and help others. This year, Williams dressed as a Christmas-themed version of a Scout Trooper from Star Wars for the journey, while Smith was his elf helper.
“It all started from [when] I lost my mother to an eight-year battle with cancer in 2009. I fell into a five-year depression period and decided to create this nonprofit to service veterans, children with special needs, children with disabilities, those battling illnesses, the hospice community, seniors and even animals,” Williams told Good Morning America.
As they did in 2017, 2018 and last year, the duo started their trek in Kentucky; Smith drove them through the continental 48 states, first through the Western states before tackling the Eastern states and then flying to Alaska. Along the way, they made home visits, visited animal shelters, stocked up on toys, took photos with each state sign and, most importantly, spent time with the people and animals who needed it the most.
Last Monday they completed their final visit for 2022 in the Aloha State, where they met two children in need at a Marriott hotel in Waikiki, including 6-year-old Jaysden, who is undergoing treatment for medulloblastoma, a brain tumor cancer.
The shy child was surprised and excited to be showered with presents from Williams and Smith, including his favorite – Pokémon cards.
“It made his Christmas much more brighter,” his mom, Xena Kaeo, told GMA.