BLAST FROM THE PAST — NAACP Reno-Sparks Branch 1112 scholarship winners honored at the 2007 Freedom Fund Banquet.

This event is the local organization's principal annual fundraiser. Complete sponsorship and ticket information appears below and are available by contacting any banquet committee member or via our secure PayPal link.

The NAACP is the nation's leading and longest established civil rights organization and has been a champion in the civil rights movement for more than 100 years. The Reno-Sparks Branch was chartered in 1945.

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The NAACP fights for everyone's rights
Lonnie Feemster Guest Editorial / Reno Gazette-Journal 6-16-2012

Sporting his best National Voter Fund attire, Reno-Sparks Branch President Lonnie Feemster addresses the Reno Cinco de MayDay Rally in front of Reno City Hall on May 5, 2012. (Andrew Barbano photo)

Whenever I hear that we are a "post-racial society," I ask when people can become a post-oxygen species.

Until some far-off day when an enlightened world provides equal opportunity for everyone, we will continue to play the numbers game.

Unscientific terms like "race" divide us in unfortunate and often unseen ways. The recent U.S. Census showed substantial gains in percentages of Washoe County African Americans while school district enrollment sank.

That's not because the increase was all senior citizens, but because the Washoe County School District counts differently than the census. Making people count is what the NAACP is all about.

Here are some numbers to be proud of:

• In the past several years, the Reno-Sparks Branch has registered over 13,000 new voters statewide as part of the NAACP National Voter Fund and the Nevada Election Empowerment Program.
  
• We advocated, not always successfully, for balanced redistricting allowing voters to choose candidates rather than politicians to choose their voters.
  
• We coordinated efforts to increase 2010 Census participation with faith-based and other organizations.
  
• We have implemented a broadly-based "Back to School-Stay in School" program, six events per year that reduce student dropout rates and increase academic achievement.
  
• We have provided over $75,000 for youth programs and scholarships with no administrative costs.
  
• We have conducted business development and personal financial management workshops.
  
• We have participated on diversity advisory committees with the school district, law enforcement and city, county and state governments.
  
• We have continued to fight for equal opportunity in housing, employment and public accommodations.
  
• We are a plaintiff in major legal action filed this week alleging that Nevada has systematically failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act which requires registration opportunity for low-income and disabled individuals at many government offices.

The NAACP is the nation's oldest civil rights organization. The Reno-Sparks Branch was founded in 1945.

We will celebrate the past and challenge the future at our 67th Annual Freedom Fund Awards Banquet this evening at 6:00 in the Mandalay Ballroom at Circus Circus Reno. The event is our major annual fundraiser which facilitates the work mentioned above and much more. Tickets are $60 at the door.

KOLO TV-8 Senior Correspondent Ed Pearce, Reno Municipal Court Judge Kenneth Howard, People First Foundation Executive Director Courtney Bell and Bishop Luther Dupree, Jr., pastor of Rehoboth Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C.

The keynote address will be delivered by prominent Florida attorney Alishia W. McDonald who was recommended by former NAACP National Chair Julian Bond. Her mother, Alise Moss Vetica, is a longtime Sparks resident. The downtown Reno Tom Vetica Resource Center, which serves the homeless and impoverished, is named after McDonald's late father, Dr. Thomas Vetica. (1951-2009).

We will also honor senior citizen Nancy Thorne Hall who just received her doctorate from the University of Nevada College of Education.

The work of the NAACP in civil, worker and human rights continues.

Please join us to celebrate it.

Keynote speaker and honorees announced

Reno, Nev. (June 7, 2012 / Updated June 14) – "Your Power, Your Decision -- Vote!" is the theme of the Reno-Sparks NAACP’s 67th Annual Freedom Fund Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at Circus Circus Hotel-Casino in Reno. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. in the hotel's Mandalay Ballroom.

A who's-who of prominent local leaders will be honored, including longtime KOLO TV-8 Senior Correspondent Ed Pearce, Reno Municipal Court Judge Kenneth Howard, People First Foundation Executive Director Courtney Bell and Bishop Luther Dupree, Jr., pastor of Rehoboth Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C.

The keynote address will be delivered by prominent Florida attorney Alishia W. McDonald who was recommended by former NAACP National Chair Julian Bond. Her mother, Alise Moss Vetica, is a longtime Sparks resident. The downtown Reno Tom Vetica Resource Center, which serves the homeless and impoverished, is named after McDonald's late father, Dr. Thomas Vetica. (1951-2009).

The Branch will also honor Dr. Nancy Thorne Hall who last month received her Ph.D. from the University of Nevada College of Education at age 74.

Norris Dupree, Jr., will serve as master of ceremonies.

As always, the organization will award several $1,000 scholarships to local high school graduates.

The NAACP is the nation's leading civil rights organization and has been a champion in the civil rights movement for more than 100 years. The Reno-Sparks Branch was chartered in 1947.

The Freedom Fund Awards Banquet is the local organization's principal annual fundraiser. Sponsorships start at $850 for companies and individuals and $600 for non-profit organizations. Individual tickets are $60 and may be reserved by contacting Patricia Gallimore (775-746-9453), Lucille Adin (775-356-3563), Andrew Barbano (775-786-1455) or Dolores Feemster (775-323-3677). Tickets, tables and sponsorships may also be purchased through the branch website.

Dear Supporters:

The Reno/Sparks Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) needs your support of our 67th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet —> Your Power, Your Decision — VOTE!

The event will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012, in the Mandalay Ballroom at Circus Circus Hotel-Casino, 500 N. Sierra at 5th Street in downtown Reno. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m with dinner at 7:00 p.m.

The NAACP works to achieve opportunity for everyone so each may enjoy the American dream: equal access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Over the past few years, the Reno/Sparks Branch has:

• Registered over 13,000 new voters statewide as part of the NAACP National Voter Fund and the NAACP Nevada Election Empowerment program.
• Implemented "Back to School Stay in School;" six events per year that reduce student dropout rates and increases academic achievement
  
• Provided over $75,000 for youth programs and scholarships with no administrative costs
  
• Coordinated efforts to increase 2010 Census participation with faith-based and other organizations
  
• Conducted Business Development and Personal Financial Management workshops
  
• Received recognition as one of the top NAACP Branches for outstanding programs during two National NAACP Annual Conventions
  
• Participated on advisory committees to city, county and state governments, Washoe County School District and local law enforcement agencies to provide insight on diversity issues
  
• Continued to fight for equal opportunity in housing, employment, public accommodations in Northern Nevada

How you can support the NAACP:

      1. Fund Platinum Sponsorship of $3,000 for the Freedom Fund Banquet; this includes a full-page ad in the banquet program, a corporate banner at the banquet and corporate sponsor recognition during the next year. (Contributions or gifts to this NAACP unit are generally not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.)
      2. Donate $2,000 to our "Back to School Stay in School" program. Donations must be made payable to "NAACP, SCF" (Special Contribution Fund). Donations should be noted "for the Reno/Sparks Back to School Stay In School Program." [Contributions to this 501 (c) (3) program are generally tax-deductible.]

Thank you for your consideration, we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Lonnie L. Feemster
President, Reno Sparks NAACP Branch #1112
(775) 722-0042

2007 Freedom Fund Banquet

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