I had no idea when I rushed out of the Safeway store on Canyon Del Rey what I almost missed. An older African-American gentleman was animatedly greeting shoppers while gesturing to his display of Barack Obama posters and a large glass donation jar. This whole display was lost on me; I support the office of the President but he didn’t get my vote.
I said in passing, "Sorry, but I wouldn’t buy that." The gentleman didn’t give up: the words, "The donations are for homeless youths!" followed me as I stubbornly moved away. I wasn’t looking back. …"it’s okay. I love ya anyway." Crap.
Tossing my grocery bags in the car, I was torn between mentally calculating what would be a fair donation and unsure if this was the real deal. I have labeled gullible for a reason.
So here I was face to face and not sure where to start with this guy. "You really donating to the homeless?"
Turns out not only was he donating his time and money to help Monterey’s homeless youths, this guy is a cousin of Lionel Ritchie. Better yet, he was one of The Belvederes in the 1950′s and 1960′s. They won on the Ted Mack show, played the Appollo Theater and the Ed Sullivan Show.
Davio filled me in on more things he’s done. He has written a book (I need to find out the name) and does singing telegrams! If anything, I hope the next time you think you should take a moment…maybe you should. And if you see Davio Ritchie around Monterey, give him your thanks, and maybe a small donation.
