Coronavirus derailed these South Florida kids’ field trip. Kodak Black to the rescue
UPDATE: 5/12/2020 at 3:38 p.m. A spokesperson on behalf of Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington DC Downtown told the Miami Herald in a statement Tuesday afternoon that the kids were going to get a full refund.
“We were surprised to learn of Pinewood Elementary’s dissatisfaction with what we understood to be a matter that was resolved amicably and agreed upon in March,” the statement said. “Upon learning this morning of their disappointment through media reports, we immediately reached out to the school to discuss the matter. We have gone ahead and begun the process to fully refund the school’s deposit and are awaiting the opportunity to discuss further with the school.”
Original story:
Kodak Black may be behind bars but he’s still helping out in a pinch.
Well, his lawyer is, at the rapper’s request.
Bradford Cohen tells TMZ Black got involved when he heard about a class trip to Washington, D.C., that got canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Fifth graders from Pinewood Elementary School in North Lauderdale, had raised $17,000 by selling candy, having fundraisers and washing cars for the graduation trip set for mid-March.
After the country shut down, the trip was nixed, but not all the money was refunded. TMZ reports that the public school was charged a $20,612 cancellation fee by Homewood Suites by Hilton. $17,931 of that had already been placed on credit cards.
After school officials got involved, Hilton reportedly refunded $7,000 for the 30 rooms booked, keeping $10,931 that can be used for credit down the line.
That’s when Black’s lawyer, who also represents the Parent Teacher Organization, stepped in. He told his famous client, who grew up near the school in Pompano Beach, about the situation. Black, who is behind bars in Kentucky on weapons charges, said he would pony up the money for the trip.
Cohen confirmed to the Miami Herald Tuesday that the school’s families did not get refunded the bulk of the money yet and hopes that Black can bring some attention to the matter.
“He always tries to do things that are positive and has given to many causes anonymously,” said Cohen. “He was more than eager to listen. He said, ‘If they [the hotel] don’t step up to the plate, let me know, I’ll make sure the kids are straight.”
On its website on a page dedicated to the pandemic, Hilton says, “We are doing everything we can to ensure your travel safety and provide maximum flexibility as the situation around novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve.”
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 11:34 AM.
