It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and in the case of Ms. Essie Reed, known to all as "Big Mama," her compassionate heart has drawn people from near and far to join her in helping raise many of the village's less fortunate children. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, Big Mama organizes neighbors, friends and strangers in South Florida to help make a way for those that are less fortunate. Big Mama is sort of a Santa Claus for those who otherwise would not receive any gifts on Christmas Day. Each year hundreds of South Florida children are blessed with donated gifts from Reed and her efforts.

Big Mama has three sons of her own: Christopher, Brennan, and Sam. The Reed family experienced hard times of its own being abandoned by the boys' father when Christopher was only one month old. This experience made them realize how important it was to help others in need. All three of Ms. Reed's sons help out in many ways, from directing the Boys' Step Team and running errands to driving neighborhood kids to school each day.

Big Mama and her extended family are members of the Royal Assembly Church of the Living, located in Ft. Lauderdale. The parish has both given and has received support from Big Mama's Team of Life organization, and the church serves as the location for many of the organization's events. The Team of Life is a Florida nonprofit charitable organization, whose mission is to help others in need with a selfless passion for excellence in education, social advancement and community involvement through values based encouragement and programs.

Among her many civic awards, Big Mama was honored as Community Activist of the Year in 2001 by the Vanguard Chronicle, Citizen of the Year 2005 - 2006 from The Broward County School Social Work Association, Citizen of the Year given by Fort Lauderdale City Commission, 2009 Community Leader Award given by International Real Estate Council, Governors Points of Light Award given by former Florida Governor Charlie Crist, and many other accolades.

Big Mama is always so thankful for all of the support and donations people give each holiday season. As Reed was once quoted as saying, "I want you all to know that it's great to put a smile on those kids' faces and watch the victory and the joy that's going to come out of this." Reed also said her faith plays a significant role in her pursuing charity work. She stated, "That's what God wants. He wants us to come together. He wants everybody to feel what Big Mama feels...Big Mama feels their love."