FLORENCE — The 16th annual United Negro College Fund gala Friday night brought people from all walks of life together to celebrate educational excellence with music from national recording group and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Impressions.
Lina Pearson, a library media specialist in Darlington County School District, has attended the UNCF gala for four years and said she always has looked forward to a night filled with good music, food and friends.
Pearson said the UNCF is a worthy cause and it’s important that people support the nation’s oldest minority education assistance organization.
“It (UNCF) helps students who may not be able to afford (a) college education,” she said. “It helps to better their life.”
Before those dressed in their evening gowns and tuxedos could get on the floor to dance to the melodies of The Impressions, Benedict College President Dr. David Swinton discussed how the money raised through the UNCF is spent and why it is needed.
The musical group, which was inducted into the hall of fame in 1991, originally was made up of members Sam Gooden, brothers Richard and Arthur Brooks, and songwriter/producers Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield. The group later welcomed singer Fred Cash.
The group had several hit singles including “People Get Ready,” “Keep on Pushing” and “We’re a Winner.”
J. Lawrence Smith, the UNCF coordinator for the Pee Dee, said he expected more than 600 people at Friday’s gala. Smith said he’s thankful to all those who supported the campaign, especially during the nation’s economic crisis.
“I want to thank the corporate entities in Florence and the Pee Dee, the businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals that have supported us and helped us through the many years of giving to the United Negro College Fund,” he said. “The economic times are getting tough. We applaud the Pee Dee area because they have not faltered this year in giving to the UNCF.”
Smith also thanked honorary campaign chairpeople and council members and volunteers.
The local campaign is well on it’s way to reaching its goal of $135,000 and people still can donate to the fund until March, Smith said.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to UNCF, P.O. Box 2503, Florence, SC 29503.
The local UNCF Area Campaign has supported member institutions in South Carolina for more than 20 years and provides scholarships for students attending Allen University and Benedict College in Columbia, Claflin University in Orangeburg, Morris College in Sumter and Voorhees College in Denmark.
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