ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A group of Tampa Bay men has been preparing for the past year on ways to make the moms in their community feel special.
They go by the name "8 Kingz Collective."
They all come from different backgrounds, but have the same mission: to honor and support mothers in their community.
“In order to address the violence with the youth, you have to show them the honor of their mother that's being taken away. With us coming together, we have to show them we need to honor these women,” says member Anthony Williams.
Williams says the group was tired of seeing young kids treat their mothers with disrespect.
Especially moms, who, they say, are struggling financially.
“I see mothers that make $15,000-$16,000 a year that pay thousands just in child care. I see that on a consistent basis. That alone shows me that these mothers are sacrificing a third of their income so their child can go to child care,” says Williams.
Last year, the group held an ‘Honor Thy Mother’ Dinner and Celebration, paying tribute to mothers going above and beyond.
This Mother’s Day, they plan on doing the same.
The group is looking for nominations for moms that are deserving of a day of pampering which includes a dinner.
Up to 50 mothers will be selected by the 8 Kingz and shown the honor, respect, and appreciation they deserve.
If you want to nominate a mom, you can go to this website and explain why a certain mother deserves to be honored.
For Reno Moor, who is a part of the group, it's a deeper meaning to honor mothers after his mom helped him stay out of trouble.
“I'm coming home and I'm high. I'm smoking weed in high school. I’m experimenting, that’s a headache, but through it all, mom was still there, she was that pillar,” says Moor.
The deadline for nominations is April 15.
The event will take place on Sunday, May 13th, which is Mother’s Day.
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