The Anson County Branch NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Dinner is a long-standing tradition that brings together NAACP members and community supporters to raise funds to support the operations of our local Branch. The initiatives are needed as much now as they ever were. Every day we focus on these key areas: voter education, criminal justice reform, public safety, racial health disparities, and economic inclusion, among other aspects.

The Anson County Branch NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Dinner is a long-standing tradition that brings together NAACP members and community supporters to raise funds to support the operations of our local Branch. The initiatives are needed as much now as they ever were. Every day we focus on these key areas: voter education, criminal justice reform, public safety, racial health disparities, and economic inclusion, among other aspects.

2024 FREEDOM FUND AWARDS WINNERS

  • COMMUNITY AWARD: 
    • Mayor Pro-Tem Garrett Snuggs - Wadesboro
  • CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: 
    • Harold C. Smith - Wadesboro
  • EDUCATION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR: 
    • Morven Elementary School - Morven
  • BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: 
    • Monroe Mortuary Services - Polkton
  • CHURCH OF THE YEAR: 
    • Ebenezer Baptist Church - Wadesboro
  • NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR: 
    • The Caraway Foundation - Ansonville
  • HUMANITARIAN AWARD: 
    • Leon Gatewood - Wadesboro
  • FREEDOM FUND CHAIRMAN AWARD: 
    • Louise Hardison Luallen
    • Councilwoman Jo Ann Bennett - Wadesboro
  • BEVERLY, THOMAS, WILSON FOUNDERS AWARD: 
    • Donnie K. Lewis - Ansonville
    • Jesse Campbell - Morven
  • ADA FORD SINGLETON EDUCATION AWARD: 
    • The late Dr. Altheria Patton - Wadesboro
    • Marlene Richardson - Wadesboro
  • PRESIDENT'S AWARD: 
    • Morven Chapter Las Amigas - Morven
    • Kishia M. Dunlap - Wadesboro
    • West Deep Creek Baptist Church - Wadesboro
  • CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY AWARD: 
    • Lady Bugs Family Restaurant - Wadesboro
  • INSPIRING INNOVATOR AWARD: 
    • New Rural Project - Wadesboro
  • TRAILBLAZERS AWARD: 
    • Commissioner Jarvis Woodburn - Wadesboro
  • COMMUNITY AWARD:
    • Rev. Harvey Marsh & Lindsey Chapel FCOG - Lilesville

Freedom Fund Banquet History

Our annual Freedom Fund Banquet serves as an opportunity to celebrate those who have made a difference in the community. It is also a place where the often-unseen work of individuals and organizations are recognized with visual and verbal recognition and awards. Everyday community members come together to collectively support the work and commitment to civil rights and social justice.

The generous support of our sponsors and those who purchase tickets, allows us to pay our operational expenses for the year. This allows our all-volunteer organization to continue to assist and support those in our community who are addressing societal and systemic injustices through advocacy, engagement and education.

Bishop Spottswood

(1897 – 1974)

Medgar W.  Evers

(1925-1963)

NAACP Fighting Fund for Freedom (aka Freedom Fund Banquet) – The NAACP Freedom Fund began in 1953 (on a national level) as a ten-year program to intensify efforts to complete the job of emancipation. Near the culmination of this effort, Medgar W. Evers, a heroic NAACP Mississippi Field Secretary, was killed by an assassin’s bullet. This prompted the NAACP Chairman Bishop Stephen Spottswood to pay tribute to this gallant warrior at the NAACP Convention in Chicago, Illinois in July 1963. He did so by proclaiming that the NAACP Fighting Fund for Freedom will continue until the job of emancipating our people is complete. (Source: The 96th Annual Thurgood Marshall Freedom Fund Dinner and Awards Ceremony)