Out of sadness, kindness

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By Kelly White

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Scottsdale toy giveaway honors Kourtney’s life

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By Kelly White

Grieving the loss of her son, Kimberly Holeman poured her sorrow into a mission to bring joy to others.

The Ashburn mother of four lost her son, 31-year-old Kourtney, in April 2020 in a shooting near 67^th and Maplewood.

Englewood resident Brielle Herring, 6, was one of more than 300 children who met with Santa Claus and received a gift at the Christmas event hosted by Kourtney’s Kindness and the Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch. –Greater Southwest News-Herald photos by Kelly White

To honor his life and memory, Holeman founded Kourtney’s Kindness, a nonprofit organization, five months after his death.

“I wanted to give and serve the community where I live in the 18th Ward,” Holeman said. “I started in his name–not only to honor him, but also to help me heal.”

In its first two years the organization served the greater Englewood community, but this year hosted a Christmas toy giveaway at Scottsdale Park, where it served some 322 children—birth to age 17.

Holeman chose Scottsdale because she was looking for a community to annually host Kourtney’s Kindness. With her granddaughter attending Scottsdale Park’s cheerleading and tumbling program, Holeman established a strong relationship with the Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch, who agreed to help the organization.

“I feel this event will bring homage to my son Kourtney’s memory name and legacy of kindness to live on,” Holeman said. “My son was a very loving, kind, caring young man whose life was taken too soon.”

A father of two young daughters and one son, Kourtney was described by his family as a very outgoing and hard-working young man who loved giving back to the community.

“This event is held in his memory and it brings the entire community together,” Holeman said. “In times like this when gun violence is leaving a negative impact on our communities, it shows something positive after a tragic loss. Through serving and helping and giving, it puts a smile on so many families’ faces and helps to heal a broken heart.”

At the event held earlier this month, children received a gift and photo with Santa Claus, including Brielle Herring of Englewood.

“It was so fun,” Herring, 6, said after taking her photo.

The gifts were provided by Toys for Tots, a program run by the Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. Thanks to Toys for Tots, Holeman was able to give out hundreds toys along with stocking stuffers.

“I feel it’s very important to hold neighborhood event like this because it demonstrates kindness and unity in a time of grief,” Holeman said. “Events like this helps those in need…it also gives strength to parents just like me who have lost a child to gun violence. [It says] there is hope for better days are coming…we must be a help to one another in these times. Our communities are in great need for unity.”

Kourtney’s Kindness does not stop at Christmas, however.

The organization collaborates with other groups.

In February around Kourtney’s birthday, the organization gives Valentine’s Day gift baskets to senior citizens. Baskets are also made for Easter and for children during Mother’s Day to give to their mother and/or caregivers.

Gift bags with trophies are given to grandparents raising their grandchildren due to unforeseen circumstances. In June for Father’s Day–one of Kourtney’s favorite holidays–Kourtney’s Kindness gives out trophies and gift bags to single dads raising their children.

In August for back-to-school season, Kourtney’s Kindness gives laptops, tablets, bookbags and uniforms. The charity also held a Thanksgiving turkey and grocery giveaway.

“This year, we were also able to bless over 300 children with coats, hats, gloves and underclothes, due to a donation from Operation Warm,” Holeman said.

Kourtney’s Kindness welcomes volunteers and donations year-round to help of make it a little easier for families in need in memory of Kourtney Dwight Weaver.