Family continues James Brown toy giveaway in Augusta

The children of soul singer James Brown carried on the annual James Brown Toy Giveaway in Augusta on Thursday, nearly one year after his death.

Event organizers say they distributed more than 2000 toys to needy children. Brown's family, businesses, and community groups donated the toys.

Al Sharpton, an activist and politician who was a close friend of Brown's, joined the family at the toy giveaway.

Absent from the giveaway was Tomi Rae Hynie Brown, the singer's widow. Hynie Brown, who is involved in a fierce court battle with the family over Brown's estate, had joined the family in November for a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in a show of unity. But she told media later that day that family members had mistreated her. Brown's children deny the accusation.

Brown, who grew up in Augusta, died on Christmas Day last year from congestive heart failure brought on by pneumonia.

His children say this holiday will be bittersweet. His daughter Venisha Brown says they'll visit his grave at his daughter's estate and share memories of their dad.

Last year's toy giveaway in Augusta was Brown's last public appearance, just three days before he died.

Family continues James Brown toy giveaway in Augusta

The children of soul singer James Brown carried on the annual James Brown Toy Giveaway in Augusta on Thursday, nearly one year after his death.

Event organizers say they distributed more than 2000 toys to needy children. Brown's family, businesses, and community groups donated the toys.

Al Sharpton, an activist and politician who was a close friend of Brown's, joined the family at the toy giveaway.

Absent from the giveaway was Tomi Rae Hynie Brown, the singer's widow. Hynie Brown, who is involved in a fierce court battle with the family over Brown's estate, had joined the family in November for a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in a show of unity. But she told media later that day that family members had mistreated her. Brown's children deny the accusation.

Brown, who grew up in Augusta, died on Christmas Day last year from congestive heart failure brought on by pneumonia.

His children say this holiday will be bittersweet. His daughter Venisha Brown says they'll visit his grave at his daughter's estate and share memories of their dad.

Last year's toy giveaway in Augusta was Brown's last public appearance, just three days before he died.

James Brown's widow criticizes his children

Two daughters of the late soul singer James Brown and Brown's widow stood publicly in a show of unity Monday as they gave away turkeys to needy families in Augusta.

But before the day was over, Brown's widow, Tomi Rae Hynie Brown, was telling a different story. She told the Augusta Chronicle newspaper that Brown's children had treated her disrespectfully during the giveaway. She accused his children of making difficult her visits to the singer's grave that day, and to the South Carolina estate she had shared with Brown. She says she was mistreated by a security officer.

Deanna Brown Thomas, Brown's daughter denied Ms. Brown's allegations. She told the newspaper that she did not have a problem with Ms. Brown's visit, and that no one intentionally interfered with her time there.

James Brown's children and his widow are embroiled in a legal battle over the late singer's estate. There have also been questions raised about whether Tomi Rae Brown's marriage to the singer was valid.

Al Sharpton visits Augusta

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton helped distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to needy families in Augusta Monday.

It's an event that the late soul singer James Brown hosted annually until his death last year.

Sharpton and Brown were close friends. Brown died on Christmas Day last year of congestive heart failure.

Two of the soul singer's daughters, some of his grandchildren, and his widow, Tomi Rae Hynie Brown, joined Sharpton at the giveaway. The family has been embroiled in a court battle over Brown's estate, and there have been questions as to whether Tomi Rae Brown and James Brown were legally wed.

Sharpton, however, said today was a time to set those issues aside.

James Brown Enterprises has typically paid for about half of the 1000 turkeys distributed.

But the funding is currently tied up in the court case.

Family members say this year that they paid for their portion out of their own pockets, and used donations from churches and charitable organizations.

Comcast Cable donates funds for the other 500 turkeys each year.