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DaRell Cooks Kennedy: Uplifting His Community Through The Eternal Happiness Foundation
DaRell Cooks Kennedy Founder of The Eternal Happiness Foundation and Owner of Kennedy’s Unique Savings in Brundidge, Alabama.

How did you get to where you are today?

I was born and raised in a small town of Louisville, Alabama. In a small house filled with love and a lot of great family morals. My mother Jean Kennedy was a single parent and while she was finishing up college my Grandparents played a big part of helping raising me .You can say I really came from a loving village. My grandfather and grandmother worked sun up to sun down and this is what I  saw, to be a great man in this world you must provide for your family no matter the situation no matter the dilemma hard work is in my DNA . I was taught to farm, plow fields, and pick peas, butterbeans, watermelons, all kinds of vegetables even raising chickens to raising hogs by my Great GrandFather. I can say I knew what hard labor work was before the age of ten.

My mother would work two jobs at times to provide for me. She taught me to set goals in life and stick to them and eventually it will pay off and the reward will be well worth it. My father Stan Cooks always taught me to not be average. He is responsible for my love for music and taught me to use both sides of my brain. Thus, leaving no room for mistakes. My Grandmother whom we call “Mommadear” would always stress this: “Darell if you don’t do anything else save $20 when you get paid” I guess that’s where my money management comes from. Life calls and I follow. I keep my doors, windows and heart wide open to new experiences and people. I let it all in. The good, the bad, the love the hurt. When you open yourself up to life, you open yourself up to a heightened sense of being.

You open yourself up to everything you are capable of achieving with hard work and dedication. When you live with no limits you allow abundance to flow towards you and with it, the magic of pure potentiality. I call it Eternal Happiness! People always asked me how I could be so happy all of the time? I am Happy because my mind is free. I realized that what others experienced as “being happy” I experienced simply as “being”. I’d set happiness as my default state of existence and it is against this measure that I live my life. I choose to be positive in every situation. I choose to surround myself with positive people. I treat others how I wish them to treat me and I give without expecting anything in return.

I say thanks everyday for the life I have and the life I know that lies before me. I learn from my mistakes, I learn from those I meet and I impart what wisdom I have freely to the world. I’m far from perfect but I strive to be a better human being everyday. A little bit more at a time. I am Eternal Happiness.

What should we know?

I put God first in my life.I set goals with high expectations. I am humble and a very hard working and driven individual. I forever look for opportunities to do better so I can always achieve greatness. From a very young age I was taught to be very ambitious. 

 What do you do best?

I’m at my best when I’m in a leadership role. Whether it’s mentoring the children in my community or helping adults find their purpose through resources that my non profit provides.

What sets you apart from others?

My integrity and me being a person of my word is what sets me apart from others.

What is “failure” and “success” for you?

Failure is not in my vocabulary. But to put a definition on it, I would say it’s motivation and determination. It can be an eye opener. Failure is not an option for me. Success to me is hard work that has paid off. Success is following my dreams until I have accomplished my goals. Success is unlimited it can’t stop, wont stop!

We’d love to hear more about your work. 

I founded Eternal Happiness Foundation Inc in 2018 It is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose goal is to help the less fortunate members of our community. This includes the elderly, unemployed, underemployed, poor, migrants and homeless  women, men and children. We aim to provide a safe, clean, uplifting environment and always keep the community first. The Eternal Happiness Foundation provides meals at no cost to communities and it is sustained by committed and compassionate volunteers and also by the generous contributions of donors. We stand on to the belief that everybody deserves happiness. While we may not be able to help everyone, we aim to support as many individuals as possible.

 Our mission is simple: To feed people in need regardless of their circumstances. The Eternal Happiness Foundation provides healthy and nutritious meals to all by mobile and stationary .Our primary focus points are food and education. We seek monetary donations through donors to provide Eternal Happiness scholarships to High school and GED graduates who are seeking a college education. We will also provide services such as life coaching and counseling services as a means of empowerment to the community we serve. Our vision is to assure that no one goes hungry or is denied the opportunity or assistance to become self-sufficient.

I purchased a building in 2019 in Brundidge, AL. I named it, Kennedy’s Unique Savings, which is a affordable general store. The store provides 30% of all sales towards my nonprofit to help us meet our goals and needs. Every Wednesday is Senior Citizens day 15% off. Plus everyday is Tax Free for all kids and teenagers when they purchase snacks and drinks. 

What excites you right now? 

What excites me during this pandemic is the extra time I get to spend enjoying my family. My wife Lacresha Kennedy is my backbone and my soulmate. Rain sleet or snow she’s there for me and The Eternal Happiness Foundation. Seeing my son Ky’ori growing up and to being able to teach him the values that was taught to me gives me great joy. Witnessing my other son Tyrec rise up as a soldier in the United States Army gives me and my wife a sense of accomplishment as parents. Being able to serve the community with my mother and father excites me as well. I am humbled to still take advice and learn from them during this pandemic.

Also seeing the people in my community whom have been laid off or even lost their jobs benefit from my foundation “The Eternal Happiness Foundation” through the free meals and clothing that we provide is more than exciting it’s gratifying. My general store “Kenndy’s Unique Savingings” being able to offer healthy and affordable necessities at a discounted price so families can save money really warms my heart.

What One thing would you like for our readers to take away from this feature story, about you. 

To be  passionate. To live life happy to the fullest extent.To be healthy enough to continue helping people. Making sure you are there to provide and to take care of your family while changing lives for the better in your community. Stay positive, stay motivated, stay hungry for the prize and always stay humble. Lastly be a Blessing to someone. God will bless you back when you least expect it. I am a living witness. I am DaRell Cooks Kennedy.

How Can Our Readers Contact You

Contact Facebook: DaRell Simba Kennedy Nonprofit

Facebook: Eternal Happiness Foundation

Savings Website: www.kennedysuniquesavings.com

Instagram: Kennedys Unique Savings 

Email: Darellkennedy2149@gmail.com 

Phone: 334-268-2149

Cash App: Eternalhappinessinc

paypal.me/eternalhappiness