Dear Friends and Supporters,
The Blair County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will celebrate its 100th Anniversary at this year’s Third Annual Freedom Fighter Gala, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at The Casino at Lakemont Park (300 Lakemont Park Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602). This year’s theme, “The Fight Ain’t Finished,” commemorates a century of advocating for justice and equity for all in Central/Southwest Pennsylvania. In this turbulent political climate, however, the NAACP remains more relevant today than when the national organization was founded 114 years ago.
As we’re sure you’re aware, freedom is not free. The Freedom Fighter Gala is the major fundraising activity of this NAACP branch, and the extension of a 30-year-long Freedom Fund tradition implemented by our late-past-President Donald E. Witherspoon. The proceeds from this event finance the year-long programs sponsored by Branch #2252 in the areas of education, housing, economic development, health, and our youth. The continued favor of our community partners helps us perform the important work needed to address the demands of this community. We ask you to consider joining these contributors. Enclosed is information on the various levels of sponsorship.
While our friends at the Johnstown & Pittsburgh Branches organized in 1917 and 1915 (respectively), we are proud to proclaim our title as the “Birth-branch of the NAACP PA State Conference”. This year, however, our sister branches are joining us to celebrate seven decades of Freedom Fighting by Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn M. Pattillo and Ms. Alice S. Lawrence. We cordially invite you to join all of us in this celebration, while recognizing recipients of scholarships from our partnerships with the Sheetz Family and the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation.
On behalf of one of the oldest NAACP branches in the Commonwealth, we offer our sincere gratitude for your time, interest, and consideration. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Harriet Gaston at 814-941-2490 or hlg5@psu.edu
With Respect & In Solidarity,
Harriet Gaston, Freedom Fund Committee Chairwoman
Tracy N. Brown, Executive Committee Chairman
Andraé M. Holsey, President
Tressa Holsey, Membership Committee Chairwoman
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“The Mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”
FREEDOM FIGHTER GALA 2023 SPONSORSHIP RATES
The Third Annual Freedom Fighter Gala, at 6:00 PM on October 18th, 2023, at the Casino at Lakemont Park is nearing closer. Organizations/individuals who wish to sponsor this event or advertise in our 100th Anniversary of our Freedom Fund Dinner Booklet may do so with the information provided below. Your contribution to this special evening will go towards scholarships for students in the Blair/Bedford/Huntingdon County communities and continuation of the NAACP’s work in Central PA.
Advertising/Sponsorship Rates:
- Donations of $250 or more will be recognized with a
full page (4”W X 6”H). - Donations of $200 will be given a half-page (4”W X 3”H)
- Donations of $150 receive a third-page (4”W X 1.5”H)
- Donations of $100 will receive an honorable mention by name on our “Local NAACP Supporters” page.
- Corporate/Lifetime members of Branch #2252 will receive a 50% discount for advertisement/sponsorship. Please contact President Andrae Holsey at admin@blairconaacp.org for more details.
For event sponsors, we’d like to reiterate:
- Donations may be made payable to “Blair County NAACP Branch #2252” and mailed to our new Downtown Altoona office in the Gable’s Building (1331 12th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601).
- PDFs of what you would like to have printed in the program can be emailed to President Andrae Holsey at admin@blairconaacp.org.
- The Blair County NAACP is a private organization and reserves the right to deny advertising or sponsorship. We will return the funds of people or groups deemed by the Executive Committee to hinder the progress of this association.
- Public officials who wish to advertise may do so, but will receive no preferential treatment in their listing. Advertisement by these officials does not constitute an endorsement by or support for any particular official by the Blair County NAACP.
Tables and tickets are selling fast. Online ticket sales will close by October 11th. Tickets for the Gala are available at https://www.eventbrite.com by looking up “Third Annual Freedom Fighter Gala”. A small quantity will be available on-site. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Harriet Gaston at 814-941-2490 or hlg5@psu.edu
Sincerely,
Harriet Gaston (Comte. Chairwoman),
Diane L. Hudson (Cmte. Secretary),
Rev. Carla J. Gregory-Beckton,
Dcn. Frank Beckton,
Tracy N. Brown (Exec. Cmte. Chairman),
Evg. Patricia Curry
Min. Karen Ferguson,
Andrae Holsey (Branch President),
Tressa Holsey (Exec. Cmte),
Courtney Hudson,
Denny Miller,
Jenny Miller,
and Renee Wheeler.
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“The Mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”