Liberians give thanks for Winston-Salem’s support
Photo by Timothy Ramsey Members of the Liberian community from Winston-Salem, Raleigh area and Greensboro gather at the Liberian Organization of the Piedmont event on Nov. 21 at Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.
By Timothy Ramsey
For The Chronicle
Celebrating a day of thanks is not limited to natives of the United States. The Liberian Organization of the Piedmont, or L.O.P. as it’s affectionately called by its members, held a Thanksgiving dinner to give thanks to the people of Winston Salem.
The thank you was for the way the city took in the Liberian community as well as the help the city gave to the country of Liberia during the Ebola epidemic.
“We thought it would be wise to give back to the community, a community that has been very supportive of our effort not only locally but in Liberia as well,” said L.O.P. President James Y. Hunder Sr. of why L.O.P. decided to hold the event, which was Sunday Nov. 21 at Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. “Liberia suffered though a gruesome civil war for 14 years, and as we attempted to get back on our feet in Liberia to reconstruct and rebuild, then Ebola hit, so that was another setback. So when Ebola hit, we collaborated with the city of Winston Salem’s’ local hospitals and educational institutions and they came to our aid, and we were able to garner over $30,000 worth of medical supplies to send back to Liberia to help fight Ebola.”
The Liberian Organization of the Piedmont, established in 1988, seeks to impact lives in the local community as well as in the country of Liberia. The organization’s relationship with Goler Memorial started while Dr. Seth Lartey, a Liberia native and currently Bishop of the A.M.E. Zion Church’s West Africa district, was pastor. The membership of Liberian natives increased under his pastorship.
The L.O.P. event was open to the community at large. Members from Goler Memorial attended the event as well as other Liberian natives from around the state. The menu consisted of Liberian dishes and well as traditional American Thanksgiving cuisine. The seniors were a focal point of the event as all who were 65 and older were asked to stand and introduce themselves and tell their ages.
After the meal, the Liberian national anthem was sung and a fellowship period followed.
“This is a fabulous idea, and this kind of program has to bring the community together as a group,” said Phil Clark, president of the Liberian Community Organization of the Triangle. “We cannot build fellowship or relationships without it. This is another way to meet professionals and people outside of your comfort area, which is great”
