Unity group to honor former Hamlet city manager Nov. 1

Proceeds from tickets, donations to benefit Brian Edward David Scholarship Fund

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

It’ll be a night to remember.

That’s what organizers of the Charity and Scholarship Event are hoping for as they stage the third such event beginning at 6 p.m. at Cole Auditorium in Hamlet.

Marchell Adams-David

Marchell Adams-David

Members of United for the Community of Richmond County will honor Marchell Adams-City, former Hamlet city manager, and raise money for a scholarship in the name of her late husband, Brian Edward David. David died unexpectedly on Jan. 30 at the age of 46.

The evening’s program includes dinner and music. Tickets purchased on or before Oct. 24 are $30 each; afterwards and at the door, $35. Proceeds will benefit the Brian Edward David Scholarship.

It is the third trip down memory lane for the group. In 2010, the group recognized now Richmond County Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. In 2012, the group honored former Richmond County resident Army Staff Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, wounded in the November 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas. Lunsford was honored along with former state Sen. William Purcell, who represented District 25 from 1997 to 2013.

This time, it’ll be someone a little closer to home.

David was a well-known, well-regarded youth sports coach and dedicated member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, members of which work tirelessly each year to ensure the people of Richmond County remember and honor one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders.

On Nov. 1, the people David helped guide on the ballfields will come together to remember not only him, but the work his wife did while employed for the city of Hamlet for 20 years, 11 months and 21 days. Under pressure since a new majority was elected to the City Council in November 2013, Adams-David resigned on July 21 to take a position as assistant city manager for community for the city of Raleigh.

“I think it’s a great idea for her to be honored,” said Mary Swann, a Unity for the Community committee member. “She did great work here … in Hamlet and in this county. I got to know her real well” through the Pee Dee Baptist Association.

Swann said it’s important for students who desire to attend college have the money to do so. Grades will get you to the door. Money will help open that door.

A high grade point average, Swann said, “doesn’t mean their parents can afford to send them (to college). If they get a scholarship given to them by a group like we’ve put together, that will help them buy books or other things that they need.”

Committee member Kimberly Harrington, who worked with David on the MLK Jr. Committee, called him “such a kind man … a gentle giant” deserving of the scholarship fund in memoriam.

And she spoke of the Nov. 1 gathering as a public effort to send Adams-David off from Richmond County on a positive note. A previous, invitation-only event was held for her before she took her new post in Raleigh. This time, Harrington said, everyone can say “thank you.”

Swann said the night also will set out to accomplish a key component of the group’s mission: unity. Together. Solidarity. Life, she said, is much more important than black or white.

“We’re on this earth together,” Swann said. “We gotta do better.”

Tickets can be purchased through any of the committee members, including: Priscilla Sanders, 910-995-3418, 910-205-1001 or by email at sandersmc2@aol.com; Pam Dillman, 910-895-2774; Mary Swann, 910-582-4429; Sadie Crawford, 910-582-1245; Kimberly Harrington, 704-294-9431; or Patrice Stroman, 910-331-7286.

 

 

Filed in: Latest Headlines

You might like:

M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win M. Bishop sinks putt for Mixed Division playoff win
Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel Von Hagel wins drawing for Pixel
Application period open for club sponsorship Application period open for club sponsorship
S. Farris wins Player of the Year S. Farris wins Player of the Year
© 2024 AlleganyPlayground.com. All rights reserved. XHTML / CSS Valid.