Unity’s Victory Brinker, Steelers JuJu Smith-Schuster support Pittsburgh’s less fortunate

Joanne Klimovich Harrop | Wednesday, December 22, 2021 9:21 a.m.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

Victory Brinker (left) poses for a photo with Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s mother, Sammy Schuster, on Dec. 22 at Light of Life on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Victory Brinker noticed homeless people as she walked the streets of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, Calif., before her performance on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

“She had never seen homeless people before,” said her mother, Christine Brinker, on Tuesday inside Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side. “She said, ‘let’s make care packages.’”

So they did.

Mother and daughter put together 12 bags filled with sandwiches, wipes, a bottle of water, a toothbrush kit, nuts and peanut butter crackers.

Victory passed them out on the street before she returned to her Unity home.

That’s not where the idea to help others ended, her mother said. Victory wanted to do something to help the homeless in Western Pennsylvania. Her mother said they knew about Light of Life and began with collecting 1,000 cans of yams. She is giving back with her voice, too.

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Victory performed during a holiday dinner at Light of Life.

“This is an opportunity for me to give back,” said Victory, 9. “I like to help.”

She sang at Light of Life’s emergency shelter, where more than 700 people in need received a hot meal courtesy of Prosper Firm as well as warm winter coats that were donated from individuals and organizations.

“This is all about hope,” Light of Life executive director Jerrel Gilliam said. “Covid has created isolation and depression. But when we come together and listen to the beautiful voice of Victory, we all feel love and acceptance. It lifts everyone’s spirit.”

After performing there, she went across the North Side to sing for families of Light of Life’s long-term program. She received two standing ovations and was asked to sing “one more song,” which she did.

“I love doing this,” said Brinker, who sang “Ave Maria” and “O Holy Night” as well as other holiday tunes. The little girl in the sparkly white dress smiled through the evening and took photos with the guests, including Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s mom, Sammy Schuster, as the kids opened presents from the JuJu Foundation. Her son was unable to attend because of the NFL’s covid-19 protocol. Children were invited to choose four gifts. The JuJu Foundation also paid for the women’s and children’s meals.

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“He grew up not having much,” Sammy Schuster said. “This is extra special for him to have the children pick out four gifts. JuJu is a kid at heart, and he really wanted to be here. He was looking forward to this.”