The 10 Year Anniversary C.A.R.E Banquet was celebrated on Thursday, October 27, at the Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club, themed "Charity Begins at Home."
The evening started with Social Hour at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby, where guests gathered to mingle before the program began.
Guests were escorted to their seats by OWBGC Ambassadors (Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls) OWBGC Board Member Kel McDowell was Master of Ceremony for the evening. The program began with opening prayer from Mr. Charles Hull, OWBGC Board Member. The 2016 Teen of The Year Runner-up Camron Fair delivered The Club Code & led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. George Adams, OWBGC Board Vice President of Finances, introduced the guest speakers. The room was filled with inspirational speeches from Dr. Fabian Wiley Jr. of Dallas and Pastor Phillip Palmertree, Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church.
"Pledge Hour" was hosted by Mrs. Willie Kern, Board Vice President of Facilities & Programming, and Mrs. Kitty Cook Ramsey of MS Alliance. This hour was dedicated to thanking the community for its donations and requesting continued support.
An exquisite meal and dessert was prepared by Ebonnie Wynn. The lovely voices of The French Camp High School Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Anna Chestin, was the entertainment.
Mr. Donald H. Evans, OWBGC CEO and Mr. Carl Speight, OWBGC Vice President of Board Development, hosted acknowledgements, which paid tribute to one of Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club Board Members, the late Mrs. Janice Harmon. Mrs. Iretis Mallet, Program Director, was awarded the Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Employee of The Year. The Baptist Medical Center of Attala and Boswell Media received the Community Service awards.
Closing remarks were delivered by Mrs. Maudi Benton, OWBGC Board President, and the benediction was given by Rev. Herbert Johnson.
The event was a success and the club thanks the community for its support.
Countless thanks to sponsors Boswell Media, Servpro & Xpress Lube & Glass, Buffalo United Methodist Church, Renasant Bank, The Citizens National Bank, Prairie Farms, Walmart, Wendy's, Kosciusko Medical Clinic and Baptist Medical Center Attala. A special thanks to The Star Herald and Bluff Springs.
Donation are always accepted and appreciated to the Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club, where the mission is to enable young people, especially those who need it the most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. '
