James Albert Johnson
November 1, 1936 - June 18, 2020
Life Motto: “Be A Helping Hand Not A Handout.”
History
James ‘Albert’ Johnson was a Barrow County native, who had a passion for God’s Word and for helping God’s people. Albert lived a life of service. He served his country as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. Albert served his community often by providing food and other resources to those in need. Albert served his God by being a faithful member and serving in various roles of the White Oak Missionary Baptist Church.
In 2001, Albert became the founder of the Share The Blessing event which became incorporated as a 501©(3) Non-Profit Organization in 2011 known as Spirit of Sharing, Inc. The Share The Blessing Event was an opportunity for Albert to marry his love for cooking, love for talking, and love for people! Albert was an encourager and often turned tragedy and pain into purpose.
It was Thanksgiving 2001, when Albert and his grandson, TJ, had prepared enough food to feed 20 people. In noticing the abundance of leftovers that were going to be thrown away, Albert and TJ decided to make individual plates with the intentions of distributing the meals to those in need. They went to the corner of King and New Street in Winder, GA across from the White Oak Spring Missionary Baptist Church where a men’s boarding house was located. Not knowing if anyone would accept the leftover food, Albert and TJ set up carry out trays in the back of the truck believing they would meet a need in the community of those who were alone and felt forgotten. Earlier in 2001, Albert lost his son Anthony to cancer, and Albert understood the pain that the holidays created for some people. In a span of about an hour and half later, 17 plates were distributed to homeless men along with time filled with encouraging conversations. After the dinner plates ran out, Albert found himself giving money to a few of the men, so they could go to Kentucky Fried Chicken ensuring they too would have Thanksgiving dinner. Albert being moved and stirred with compassion for the people in the community who were homeless, living in poverty and struggling with life, Albert asked the members of White Oak Spring Missionary Baptist Church if they would be willing to minister to the community during Christmas time, specifically Christmas day, so that individuals who did not have family would not be alone.
Albert’s call to action led the church to provide food, clothing, and toiletries to over 200 individuals living in the local Winder community dispelling the belief that homelessness and hunger did not exist in Barrow County. When asked what the purpose and drive for this event was, Albert responded by stating, “We were only sharing the blessings from God with others.” Henceforth, this outreach and collaboration has since been called “Share The Blessing.”
Twenty-one years later from the initial meal, City and County Officials, local Board of Education leaders and staff, churches, non-profit and for-profit organizations, social groups, and individuals come together on Christmas Day for the annual Share The Blessing Event. The event provides services such as clothing, food boxes, barber services, healthcare services and awareness, hot meals, and toys to hundreds of people from Barrow and surrounding counties. Share The Blessing has served more than 16,000 families with well over 5,000 volunteers on one of the most coveted holidays of the year!
On February 5, 2020, State Representative Terry England, from District 116, and the Georgia House of Representatives issued a proclamation of service to James Albert Johnson for the help provided to others through Spirit of Sharing, Inc., and the Share The Blessing Events. On January 1, 2021, as a memorial tribute to the legacy of James Albert Johnson, the City of Winder renamed the street of Wood Avenue to James Albert Johnson Avenue. The Spirit of Sharing, Inc. operations currently resides on James Albert Johnson Avenue.