Stephen Curry and Sue Bird surprise Dr. Kakara, a frontline COVID tester who works two jobs and lives in her basement, with a signed jersey and $10,000 from Rakuten to pay down her student loans. Kakara volunteers testing residents in underserved neighborhoods despite her own financial strain.
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There's been so much happening back to back, but we can't forget to stop and make sure we have some moments of joy in our lives. Volunteers are working at an all-time high, and it's truly moving to see. So Rakuten and I decided to surprise and thank a few of these special people. This time I've tapped in with Sue Bird, and she was more than happy to get in on the giveaway.
Hey, you guys. I was so happy when Stephen told me what he was up to. Kakara's story is so amazing. She works 2 jobs and still volunteers her time to test residents in disenfranchised communities for COVID-19.
So Moe COVIDMD is offering telehealth services and COVID testing for the community by the people. Our organization's about connecting volunteers with student loan debt relief for the impact work that they do in their community. So I nominated Kokra to get the Gift of Joy. She had to change her entire world to become the primary caregiver for her kids. She had to move down into the basement of her house because she can't afford the rent for the whole house. She definitely did all this while still being a volunteer. Man, with all that going on, who has time for volunteering? She was like, "This feeds my soul. This shows my kids that no matter what's going on, if you do good and bring goodness to the universe, it comes back." And so when she said that, I was like, "Oh yeah, she's the one." So I told her we're on a finalist track to be on a grant. We're gonna all be on Zoom and we're gonna be interviewed. And hopefully she'll be at where I am I always hear that she's at, which is her track. It's gonna be exciting.
She does all of this in order to pay back her school loans. Unbelievable. I feel so honored to be the one surprising her. Let's give her the joy that she deserves.
So for me, similar to Brianna, I do most of the remote work.
[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Hi, I'm Sue Bird. I play in the WNBA and it is an honor to meet you, Dr. Kakara.
Talked to Dr. Nana. She told me all the amazing things you're doing. So I just wanna say how thankful I am. It's like so admirable. You are a true hero in what you're doing for your community. And my boy Stephen Curry wanted to send a little something.
Oh my God.
In honor of that. Got you a signed jersey.
Pretty dope.
Oh my God.
We have a second gift for you.
Amazing.
And it's from Rakuten. And we know you have some student loans that you need to pay off.
Yeah.
So Rakuten is gonna give you $10,000.
Oh my God.
In order to do that.
Super cool.
That is amazing.
Oh my God!
Thank you so much.
No, thank— this is crazy.
This opportunity of just, like, spreading joy in this particular way is so meaningful. And she was already building her spirit up, but this just added a whole nother layer of, like, just sweetness and honey to it. Really, really indescribable. And she's worked very, very hard. It is a beautiful testimony to the fact that, like, as long as you're continuing to do good work, Someone's always looking.
Even when you think that the ground for which you stand has fallen from under you, you can still have really good people. And even without all of this, Naneferu has really helped me figure out my self-worth, and I'm just so thankful just for everyone. With or without this money, I knew I'll be okay, but this has really made me okay with an asterisk.
For you to still give your time to volunteer, to help others. You know what they say, it always comes back around, and this is it coming back around. So thank you so much.
Big shout out to Rakuten for stepping up, making these special people feel the love, feel the support. That's what it's all about right there.
