Holy Week for Essie “Big Mama” Reed and her group of Team of Life volunteers is just another reason to give back to her community in Broward County.

Essie Reed, also known as “Big Mama,” goes out of way to take care of South Florida youth during the holidays and continues her gift giving tradition on Friday.

Each year, Essie Reed, also known as “Big Mama,” goes out of way to take care of South Florida youth during the holidays.

Essie “Big Mama” Reed was in tears when she talked about the struggles families are facing during the coronavirus pandemic. She and her helpers, some of whom consider her a surrogate mother, helped her to distribute toys during her annual Christmas event.

More than a year ago, Big Mama's bill began ballooning from nearly $400 to nearly double that the next billing cycle, to nearly $2200 when the next bill arrived.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The line leading up to Big Mama’s house in Fort Lauderdale was as long as the eye could see Wednesday night. “As I sit there and start bagging, it energizes me,” said Essie Reed, better known in South Florida as Big Mama. 'Big Mama' hands out more than 1,000 Christmas gifts in Fort Lauderdale“I just think it’s a blessing, especially during this pandemic time,” said Shantavia Miller, a mother who arrived in an SUV with her children to pick up toys. Earlier in the day, the Miami Heat organization also hosted a drive-through gift giveaway outside the American Airlines Arena. Helping Others and Giving Hope, a nonprofit organization, donated gift cards to the Arias family so they could purchase clothing and Christmas gifts.

Santa Claus may have a sleigh, but Big Mama now has a 2017 Dodge Journey. “I haven’t had a real car in a long time,” Esse “Big Mama” Reed said Friday when she learned the car was hers. Through her nonprofit Team of Life, Big Mama provides after-school programs, school supplies, hot meals, groceries, Thanksgiving turkeys and toys at Christmas. Alex “Big Lip” Chisholm, a deejay at radio station Hot 105, spearheaded the idea after a conversation with Big Mama. Big Mama said she was grateful for so many things Friday, including a dependable ride.