WS Chronicle

Join us for Emancipation Proclamation celebration

To the Editor:

Emancipation is something for which we all can be thankful and respond to in some positive way/s. We celebrate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation (Signed by President Abraham Lincoln Jan. 1, 1863) every year, usually on the first of January, if it does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday.

The local 2018 Emancipation Celebration will be held on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church (11:00 A.M.). The keynote speaker for the event will be the host church’s pastor, Rev. Ronald E. Speas.

Because of the times we are experiencing, and the leadership of our country New Jerusalem should be packed with people, praying for a better future, with God’s intervention!  Over the years, we have had the annual celebration at a variety of churches, and a few other places. We have had many outstanding speakers, awarded many scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and had some very strong board members to serve honorably and sacrificially!

This letter was started on the first snow day of the season!  I was trying to picture what the scene might be like on the upcoming day of the celebration. Of course, I can only dream, hope, wish and pray that a large number of people will learn about this event and make plans to attend. Just think how strong this organization could be or would be if most of the churches, fraternities, sororities, lodges, clubs, businesses, professional people and just common people, etc. supported it with their memberships, contributions and attendance at celebrations. Let’s all of us do a better job of supporting the W-S/FC Emancipation Association!

Officers of the Board of Directors are:  Re. Miller Allen (President), Ms. Joycelyn Johnson (Vice President), Mrs. Alice Allen (Recording Secretary), Mrs. Jannette D. Piggott (Corresponding Secretary), Mrs. Larn Dillard (Financial Secretary) and Mrs. Jean Moses-Petree (Treasurer).

Other board members are: Mrs. Sandra Armstrong, Mrs. Evelena R. Clayborn, Mrs. Barbara S. Hayes, Mrs. Betty Watson-Meadows, Mrs. Levitha C. Mack, Mr. Daniel Piggott, Dr. Manderline Scales  and Mrs. Josephine H. Jones (Immediate Past President).

Try not to wait until the day of the event to pay your membership fee of $10 or make a contribution of $25 or more.  Write your check to: W-S/FC Emancipation Association, and send it C/O Mrs. Larn Dillard, 2246 East 1st Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101. Please include all of your contact information.  Churches and organizations should do likewise.

Let’s make some positive history on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018!  I hope to see you there, with family and friends!

Rudolph V. Boone, Sr.

President Emeritus

W-S/FC Emancipation Association

Winston-Salem

Group affirms commitment to asset-based development

To the Editor:

Since our founding more than 27 years ago, Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods (NBN) has worked to live up to a simple mission: “Connecting People, Strengthening Voices, and Leveraging Resources.”

NBN’s commitment to asset-based community development has never wavered, and our dedication to achieving our vision of “Safe, Just, and Self-Determined Neighborhoods” in every corner of Winston-Salem has never been stronger.

Recent media coverage of the work of the Boston Thurmond Innovation Network’s revitalization efforts, specifically its proposal to purchase the Plaza Apartments, has brought to light the importance and the power of resident voices. As the community’s only community engagement nonprofit, it is our desire to ensure that every resident in the Boston-Thurmond community has the opportunity to have his or her voice heard. That is why we support City Council Member [Denise] “D.D.” Adams’ recommendation to delay the sale of the Plaza Apartments to allow more time for residents to give input about the vision and goals they have for their community.

For the past three years, NBN has deployed community organizers into Boston Thurmond and other Winston-Salem neighborhoods to ensure that the residents had input into the revitalization and development efforts that were happening around them. Our investigation and analysis of the Purpose Built Communities model confirms our belief that if residents input is valued and included in the decision-making process about changes in their neighborhoods, then these neighborhood residents will have the decision-making capacity to create a “safe, just, and self-determined neighborhood.”

We are proud of the rich history and the diversity of gifts, skills, and talents that exist within the Boston Thurmond community and will continue to do everything in our power to preserve, protect, and enhance the experiences of those who call it home. We encourage everyone to visit www.NBNCommunity.org to connect with and learn more about Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods and the work in our community.

Neighbors for Better Neighborhoods

Board of Directors

Winston-Salem

Help Red Cross help others with money, as volunteer

To the Editor:

This year, our nation has been challenged by an unprecedented number and scope of natural disasters. From back-to-back-to-back hurricanes, to floods and wildfires, to the worst mass shooting in our history, lives have been destroyed and entire communities have perished.

Government and nonprofit resources have been stretched thin. As a national humanitarian services organization, the Red Cross this year delivered more food, relief supplies and shelter stays than the last four years combined. Through it all, the American Red Cross has been there. Through it all, volunteers and staff from the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the American Red Cross have been there.

Now as we look ahead to a new year, we want to thank the countless Red Cross volunteers, financial donors, blood donors, and staff for their support to make sure people have the help they need in times of emergency. We also want to thank the more than 70 volunteers and staff from the Piedmont Triad Chapter who deployed outside our region to assist with national response efforts, and each time leaving their lives and loved ones behind to help alleviate the pain and suffering of others.

In 2017, the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the Red Cross responded to more than 400 local emergencies, providing more than 1,500 people with immediate assistance including lodging, food, medication or eyeglass replacement, and health and mental health counseling.  More than 1,000 volunteers with the Piedmont Triad Chapter logged nearly 46,000 hours serving our community, You can help the Red Cross continue its mission.

Please consider a year-end financial donation.  Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Put on a Red Cross vest and join us. The Red Cross workforce is made up of 90 percent volunteers. Learn about the wide range of volunteer opportunities near you at redcross.org/volunteer.

Donate blood. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Visit redcrossblood.org for a collection center or blood drive near you.

Signed on behalf

of the American Red Cross

Piedmont Triad Chapter Boards of Directors:

Linda Mitchell – Chair, Greensboro

Charlie Gwinn – Chair, Northwest NC

Phil Driscoll – Chair, High Point-Davidson

Tony Searcy – Chair, Surry County

Keith Strickland – Chair, Piedmont Carolina

Note: The American Red Cross Piedmont Triad Chapter serves a population of more than 1.6 million people in the counties of Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin.