For its first year, Operation Gobble filled the minds and bellies of students and families with many books like Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and holiday dishes like turkey, of course. The event on November 19 joined together THE MJ PROJECT with local forces from Corcoran, California to meet the needs of the community and spread some much needed joy.
One of the faces behind the event, Brian Brazier, a local principal at Kings Lake Education Center, shared his experiences growing up in a nearby community, serving as principal for the last three years, and commencing Operation Gobble.
Q: So, you transitioned out of the classroom after nearly15 years and became principal at Kings Lake. What’s been the most enjoyable part?
A: “It’s giving. It’s really giving because I have a funny leadership style…People will always look at the position you’re in as the principal…and I do it to serve more or less. I’m not trying to bark down people or breathe down people’s necks. I try to inspire them to do better and to be a blessing in their lives and help them on their journeys.
Q: How has your background influenced the way you serve and connect with your students?
A: “I came from the area, and…I wasn’t afraid to go out the city limits, but it was going to take a push for that to happen. I was blessed to have parents that did that for me, and I found out that in a sink or swim situation, I’m a swimmer…You have to work to make yourself rise up, and every level I hit, that happened, and every level that happened, I rose. I saw that in myself….I try to impart that to these kids.”
Q: What books sparked your mind when you were young?
A: “The Autobiography of Malcolm X. The town I came from, it was cool, and it was pretty diverse, but as far as culture…it wasn’t really none for somebody like me, and reading that book, it validated some of the feelings and thoughts that I had. It opened my eyes to some stuff that I didn’t see. It was amazing, and it taught me and it caused me to seek out more.
Q: What is your goal for Operation Gobble?
A: “We’re just trying to make sure nobody goes unfed…I just want it to be something where people drive through and they see smiling faces. They don’t take it as it’s charity; they take it as it’s love. I want them to enjoy this and just to get everything off their mind. Something less they have to worry about because these times are just terrible. Everybody’s got a lot of stress on them, so I’m hoping this is an expression of unconditional love that they can understand and accept.
This is something that’s big, and the love I got from the people that are coming, it’s amazing how people come out the woodwork to help and try to do something positive. It amazes me how many people are around. I want to be an angel for these kids. It’s not about me…I’m trying to be a link in a chain of beautiful things that have happened to me and continue to pass that on to other people. I’ve met some amazing people that just inspired me to do amazing things.”
Q: Are there any future projects you have planned that are connected to your work in the community?
A: “This is the first time I’ve felt I had power enough to do something to make things happen, so I’m going to be studying up what I can do and what the need would be for the community that we can maybe fulfill and go from there.”
