Annual Freedom Fund Dinner raises funds for NAACP scholarships

Annual Freedom Fund Dinner raises funds for NAACP scholarships
Ellen Pill

John Clay, left, and Vicky Hartzler display a quilt made and donated by Hartzler, a Jim Spires ceramic piece, and a Thomas L. Wood painting. The items will be included in the Freedom Fund Dinner silent auction.

                        

Each year the Wooster/Orrville NAACP hosts a Freedom Fund Dinner. This year's event will takes place Saturday, Oct. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Kittredge Dining Hall on the College of Wooster campus, 535 E. Wayne Ave.

Proceeds from the fundraising event are used toward annual educational scholarships. Previous scholarship winners will be recognized at the dinner.

"The Wooster/Orrville NAACP has been able to provide over $31,000 in scholarships, administered through the Wayne County Community Foundation over the past 10 years," said John Clay, president of the Wooster/Orrville NAACP Unit 3208.

The Freedom Fund Dinner is held by NAACP chapters all over the country to raise funds and to provide a forum regarding relevant topics. This year's speaker will be Judge Solomon Oliver, a U.S. District Judge and College of Wooster alumnus.

Oliver was an assistant professor of political science at the College of Wooster from 1972–75. The recipient of a wide variety of awards and honors, he has written articles and lectured on a wide range of topics. He currently serves as a special advisor to the African Law Initiative Council.

"Insights gleaned over 50 years: preparing for the struggle ahead" will be the topic of Oliver's speech.

The dinner also will include a silent auction with a wide variety of one-of-a-kind items. Local potter Jim Spires has donated a ceramic piece, and there will be a painting by Ohio artist Thomas L. Wood.

Dr. Dennis Helmuth is donating a hot air balloon ride for two.

Vicky Hartzler is donating a quilt from her personal collection for the event. She fell in love with the fabric, purchased it and made the quilt some years ago without a particular event in mind.

"I tend to buy fabric I like and make something even if I don't have a purpose for it yet," Hartzler said.

Hartzler felt the donated quilt seemed perfectly suited to the event. "I support the mission and vision of the NAACP," she said. "I understand that students who benefited from the scholarships in previous years have returned to our area and used their educations for the betterment of our community."

According to Clay, the evening also will include recognition of the Wooster City Schools Diversity Task Force as the People of the Year.

NAACP membership is open to anyone. There is a $30 annual fee or a lifetime membership fee of $750. Locally the group works to address social justice issues through the work of numerous committees.

The education committee determines scholarship winners and addresses educational issues. The voting rights committee assures all residents are able and encouraged to vote.

The criminal justice committee works with individuals involved in the criminal justice system to integrate them back into the community.

There is a redress committee that helps people address issues of injustice wherever it may exist. And the Wooster Fair for All committee advocates for the Wayne County Fair to ban the sale or promotion of the confederate flag.

"Volunteers are always needed for NAACP activities," Clay said. "Donations are always welcome."

For more information about the local NAACP, go to the website at www.wooster-orrvillenaacp.org. Find the group on Facebook at Wooster/Orrville NAACP Unit 3208 or call Clay at 330-804-4203 or email naacpunit3208@gmail.com.

Reservations for the dinner are requested by Oct. 1. Reserve tickets or make a donation online at www.eventbrite.com/e/woosterorrville-naacp-freedom-fund-dinner-tickets-48043577634.

"Anyone who cares about social justice issues and wants to support the activities of the local NAACP should attend," Clay said. "Support our efforts to build a better community for all of our residents."

Hartzler said, "It's important that we support educational efforts of our youth as the costs of education have increased to the point that it's just not feasible for many young people without assistance."


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