Family members of the pop star Usher helped to distribute holiday meals donated by the singer to employees of CHI Memorial hospitals in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Thanksgiving. Here, CHI Memorial Director of Operations for Critical Care Natasha McGhee, at left, and her daughter Alyssa McGhee, and CHI Memorial Vice President of Cardiovascular Services Kevin Hopkins receive their meals from Tyson Armour, at right, a member of Usher's family.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, native and pop superstar Usher donated holiday meals to employees working at CHI Memorial's three hospital campuses on Thanksgiving Day. The approximately 400 meals were prepared by Davis Wayne's, a minority-owned restaurant near Chattanooga.
Usher Raymond IV grew up in Glenwood, which is a neighborhood of Chattanooga. Family members discovered his vocal talents when he was a member of a choir at a Chattanooga church.
Over his 30-plus-year musical career, Usher has won eight Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, and 18 Billboard Music Awards.
From left, Lia Higgins, Laila Higgins and Misty Wilson, members of Usher's family, prepare to distribute the meals to employees.
For the Thanksgiving donation, members of Usher's family joined CHI Memorial leaders in handing out the meals, which included turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, cornbread and dessert. With each meal, Usher included a note that said that he "wanted to do my part by making sure you were all taken care of while you take care of others."
Usher said his Grandma Tina and Nanny and Pop, Nancy and James Lackey, are his inspiration for his service to others. His grandmother worked at CHI Memorial for many years, according to CHI Memorial. That hospital is part of CommonSpirit Health.