Kanye West — now known as Ye, after officially changing his name earlier this year — is hailed as a “modern-day Santa Claus” in Chicago. The hip-hop giant just made a massive donation in his hometown. He gave away more than 4,000 toys during a toy drive in the Englewood neighborhood on Sunday (December 19).
“I'm so proud that Kanye is, once again, responding to our request to help the children of Englewood and beyond. He is no stranger to our community,” Alderman Stephanie Coleman told Chicago's ABC 7. “His presence has always been felt in our neighborhoods and he loves visiting, but this Christmas he has truly been our modern-day Santa Claus.” (Although Ye couldn’t attend the event in his hometown, Santa Claus was at the toy drive to greet the kids.)
Coleman added to WGN 9 that Ye is “our hometown hero.” She thanked him for giving to Chicago-area children, particularly because some of them don’t have fathers in their lives, many because of gun violence. “…today, we are here being a blessing.” Coleman also noted to the Chicago Sun-Times: “It isn’t about just Christmas, but it’s a day about unity. And without unity, there is no community.”