Bun B, Stephen Jackson talk about Humidor Cigar Lounge turkey giveaway teamwork
Published 3:52 pm Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Kathy Jones, left, and Damion Wiltz stack turkeys in preparation for the giveaway Wednesday outside Humidor Cigar Lounge. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Benny Phillips, left, takes a turkey from Marlon Sanders before the giveaway. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Lakisha Prevost, left, and Robert Joseph hand out pies and turkeys. (Mary Meaux/The News)
David Marcel, left, Chandrea Celestine and Vincent Shelvin of Humidor Cigar Lounge partnered with rapper Bun B and retired NBA player Stephen Jackson for the giveaway. (Mary Meaux/The News)
The free turkey giveaway was held Wednesday at Humidor Cigar Lounge on Jefferson Drive in Port Arthur. (Mary Meaux/The News)
The scene at Humidor Cigar Lounge Wednesday for a turkey giveaway. (Natalie Picazo/The News)
Kathy Jones pauses during the giveaway for a picture. (Natalie Picazo/The News)
The scene at Humidor Cigar Lounge Wednesday for a turkey giveaway. (Natalie Picazo/The News)
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Humidor Cigar Lounge, Trill Burgers and Stephen Jackson have all been blessed and passed their blessings to others for a free turkey giveaway Wednesday.
Rap legend and Port Arthur native Bun B, who owns the popular Trill Burgers eatery in Houston, said this is the time of year where you realize how thankful we are, adding he’s no exception.
He said he’s had a really good year, not just musically, but with his restaurant.
“We’re always trying to find different ways to give back to the community that gave so much to us,” said Bun B, whose given name is Bernard Freeman. “We all collectively realized this is something easy we can make happen for people, and it’s a great way to bless people that need it the most.”
Bun B partnered with another Port Arthur native, retired NBA player Stephen Jackson, and the owners of the Humidor Cigar Lounge, Vincent Shelvin, David Marcel and Chandrea Celestine.
Neither Bub B nor Jackson were able to make it personally to the giveaway but wanted to make sure they gave back to their community.
“We love the city of Port Arthur. We try to do as much as we can,” Bun B said, adding this was an opportunity to show people they are thankful.
Stephen Jackson had good words to say about the Humidor and the men who own the business.
He called the Humidor more than a cigar lounge but a safe place to congregate and build relationships in the city.
“It’s something that’s not been offered to us in years, a place to have a cigar and good business conversation,” Jackson said.
He also spoke of Chandrea Celestine and how Celestine used to help the children on the West Side and now Celestine is part of the group helping others at the holiday.
Jackson said he has been that child wondering about the holidays and through his successes he is able to give back. He did so after hurricanes, and in 2009 brought NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to the Stephen Jackson Academy, which was located on Procter Street.
His Academy, which is now closed, also provided needed items to residents in the aftermath of storms.
Jackson said giving back is something you are supposed to do.
David Marcel said the reason for the giveaway is because God blessed them, so they in turn are giving back to those in need.
He said this is their first such giveaway and they hope to make it an annual event.
“So we can give back and make it bigger and better each year,” Marcel said.
The group had approximately 200 turkeys to distribute, he said.
Humidor Cigar Lounge is located at 1645 Jefferson Drive, Suite 140 in Port Arthur.
