NAACP to hear from 'Survivor' participant

WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Ramona Gray, a member of the Pagong tribe on the first version of the "Survivor" television show, will be the featured speaker Friday at the 38th annual Freedom Fund Banquet of the Mercer County Branch of the NAACP.
"Unity, Strength and Power" will be the topic of her speech for the 6:30 p.m. event in the Radisson Hotel.
Gray is a research chemist at Merck & amp; Co. Inc., where she develops chemical compounds to help fight disease and is a volunteer with the Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, encouraging girls to foster a love for math and science.
Several awards will be presented during the banquet.
Russell C. Phillips, retired Farrell school teacher and administrator, will be presented with the James Mendez Matthews President's Award.
The Rev. Thomas J. Bolling, Linda Moss McDougal, the Sharon Regional Health System Minority Health Program and the Mercer County Community Action Agency will all be presented with NAACP Community Service awards.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling (724) 983-3674. No tickets will be sold at the door.