US Drive Beginnings

My name is Vanessa Dickerson, the Founder of the US Drive. My son Aaron “Kahlil” Smith passed away Oct. 19, 2020 from a drug overdose. Kahlil was challenged with drug addiction for the last 20 years of his life. He always fought to get clean and he frequented drug rehabilitation facilities throughout those 20 years.

Sometime during the last few months before Kahlil passed, he told me something so profound that I never forgot it. It left a huge imprint on my heart. He told me, with much concern, that some of the adults come directly off the street. They did not have access to clean their bodies properly. Immediately entering the facility, they are finally able to get shower, wash their hair, etc. Kahlil said that the most embarrassing feeling for them, as an adult, is not to have clean underwear and socks. Kahlil did not have that issue. He had me. He often gave his own clean underwear and socks to those he could help. For us, that is unsanitary. For them, it was a blessing.

Kahlil had a big heart and personality. He loved people and people loved him because he was kind, caring and giving. And because of that, I put together a drive to celebrate my son’s 45th Birthday on March 15, 2023.and named it US Drive. U for underwear and S for socks! I did a Facebook Live on October 19, 2022, the 2nd anniversary of his passing, asking for supporters. The donations went to a facility that he had been a client.

Well, the support was huge! I was totally blown away. The men of that facility were blessed and I was able to leave hundreds of underwear and socks for new clients embarking on their recovery journey. I also was able to duplicate the blessing at another facility.

Honoring my son turned into my God given purpose. I am absolutely fulfilled to be a blessing. I thank God that I am able to turn that tragedy into triumph for God’s glory. I can’t stop and I won’t stop doing the work of the Lord!