EFFINGHAM COUNTY BRANCH NAACP HOSTS ITS FREEDOM FUND BANQUET

Leroy Lloyd, the President of the Effingham County Branch NAACP, greeted the 150 or so
guests at the Second Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday night, September 10,
2016, at the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Association Social Hall in Guyton, GA. In
these preliminary remarks and in his letter to the program/ad journal presented that evening,
Leroy Lloyd announced the Banquet theme as We Hold These Truths... He pointed out that
the three distinguished honorees that evening- Beverly Hunter Scott; Michael Anthony
Garvin, Sr.; and Roy Griffin, Jr.- were all local citizens who are making a difference in
Effingham.
The invocation was provided by Pastor Johnathan Ferrell. Mr. Lloyd then introduced Doug
Davis as the master of ceremonies. Mr. Davis is the program director, Cumulus Media,
associated with WEAS-FM, the Savannah-based radio station..
Banquet Committee member, Pearl Thomas, made the official welcome to the guests.
Another Committee member, Loni Harden, lead the assembly in song. President
Lloyd then introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Leon Spencer, Professor EmeritusLeadership, Technology, and Human Development at Georgia Southern University,
Statesboro, GA. President Lloyd, and his wife, Rachel Lloyd, personally recruited Dr.
Spencer after hearing him at a multi-cultural conference in 2011. Dr. Spencer has
embraced Unitarian Univeralism. This association presented him with its major national
award, citing him as a pioneer in anti-racism and anti- oppression efforts. His remarks
reflected upon those themes.

LaMeisha Hunter Kelly, the Rincon City Planner, presented the honorees with their
awards. Ms. Kelly cited their achievements in presenting the honorees with their awards.
Beverly Scott received the award as a result of her career as a social services coordinator
and her volunteer efforts, most especially on behalf of the Parent University Effingham Program services. Michael Garvin was honored for his extensive community
activism and his life as a political leader in Guyton. Roy Griffin, Jr. was honored primarily
for organizing and leading local youth in HYPE Outreach Ministries.
Banquet Committee member, Lucy Powell, introduced special guests, but she began
by acknowledging that all the attendees were special guests.
On behalf of the NAACP, Doug Davis acknowledged the corporate sponsors. They
are the City of Rincon; Effingham Health System; New Breath Counseling Center,
Inc.; New Hope A.M.E.; State Senator Jack Hill; and Sylvania Funeral Home.
In his closing remarks, President Lloyd thanked all the attendees and supporters of
this event. He specifically thanked Tamela of Cafe 17, Guyton, for the wonderful
buffet and also the decoration of the PMBA Hall. He mentioned the fine work of
Nella Lonon in compiling and printing the program/ ad journal for the evening.
Mr. Lloyd mentioned the dedicated work of the Banquet Committee members. They are
Evelyn Allen, Tony Chiariello, Victoria Glover, Loni Harden, Rachel Lloyd, Lucy
Powell, Pearl Thomas, and Lula Seabrooks.
Leroy Lloyd gave his special President's Award to Sabrina Scott and Nashaunda Harden,
especially for considerable efforts on the First Annual Freedom Fund Banquet.He
encouraged all to become NAACP members. The monthly meetings generally take place
at St. Matthew's, Baptist Church, Springfield, GA, on the first Thursdays each month at 7 PM.