PEOPLE MAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN NORTH CAROLINA
Last weekend was a historic one for the WFWP North Carolina Chapter. Not only was it the 7th Annual WFWP/WOA Gathering, but January 14 was the launch of the WFWP/WOA “Putting on The Ritz Gala” benefit VIP reception to honor compassionate sustainable leadership. It was the signature kickoff event for the Annual MLK, Jr. Celebration 2017. The WFWP, North Carolina Chapter, the MLK, Jr. Task Force of Cary, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) of NC, and TheGifted Arts Inc. (with the stated mission to inspire our youth to transcend limitations and embrace purpose), partnered and co-sponsored the whole event to begin the journey. It was a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the legacy of peace and humanity he established, through serving and loving His children.
Guests arrived at the beautiful Water Garden Park (WGP) in Raleigh, North Carolina dressed to impress and ready to enjoy a night full of fun, entertainment, food, and giving. Guests could expect to network, sit back and relax, or both. At any point in the evening, attendees found themselves: gaming at the WGP Casino Royale, bidding in the WGP Silent Auction, enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks; being entertained by special guest national recording artist Gerald Hinton and TheGifted Arts pop up performers; and dancing, dancing, and more dancing.
Putting on the Ritz
More than a hundred people came and contributed their time and money to help enable the continuance of services, programs, and initiatives for the community partners co-sponsoring the evening’s affair. The total results of funds raised from contributions, the silent auction, and “A dollar can help” envelopes are still being tallied but from what is known now, the totals will be great enough to make a difference!
WFWP of NC, the MLK, Jr. Task Force of Cary, the UPF of NC and TheGifted Arts Inc. also supported and participated in the Ambassador for Peace Reunion 2017, on Sunday January 15; in the Annual MLK, Jr. Commemorative March in Downtown Raleigh on the 16th; and in the MLK, Jr. Day of Service in Apex, North Carolina. All in all, it was a memorable weekend of celebration and service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of peace through non-violence.
As associates of the Community Partners Consortium, the North Carolina Chapter of WFWP believes that people and organizations can do amazing things when they work together and never waver from the vision that unites them. James Baldwin wrote "There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the Moment. The time is always NOW.” Martin Luther King, Jr. similarly wrote "The Great Challenge is to prepare ourselves to enter doors of opportunity." There is work enough to do and we in North Carolina "resolve to be involved" "because the WHY is so great."
As WFWP Coordinator in North Carolina, it is my fondest wish to be of service in North Carolina. Dreaming the Dream is how it begins for me and to this end "Plan my work, and Work my plan." is what I say to myself every day.
Everybody is welcome to share my Dream or create and execute a Dream of their own. As Thomas S. Monson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints), says, "We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to love his children."
To know more about the co-sponsoring organizations for this event visit these websites: www.wfwp.us, www.mlkjuniortaskforce.org, www.us.upf.org, www.upf.org, www.thegiftedarts.org.