Dear Editor,

This letter comes as a “Thank You” to participants and supporters, who contributed to the success of the Annual Celebration honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

All of the activities were organized and executed by the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, a volunteer ad hoc committee ... organized more than 20 years ago. Some of the original members still serve on this committee!

There are also sub-committees that help plan and execute activities, so that various members serve on more than one of these committees and begin planning for the celebration at least four months prior to its execution.

Without the cooperation and participation of hundreds - perhaps thousands of Richmond County citizens, the planning would be naught. Every event held indoors had capacity audiences. People attend a function as a result of hearing about it - word of mouth, announcement flyers, newspapers, radio, t.v., etc.

I wish to especially thank the Richmond County Daily Journal, Radio stations WAYN, WKDX, WLWL and WGSG, Dr. Norris and the Richmond County Schools for helping to “spread the word”: additionally, I give special thanks to Richmond FirstHealth for sponsoring the prayer breakfast, and to St. Stephen AME Zion Church, Sidney Grove Agape Center and Leak Street Center for giving us use of the facilities. Finally, I thank all of you who came to one or all the scheduled events. Until next year, Thank You and God Bless!

J.C. Watkins, Chairman

Rockingham