Thursday, July 21, 2005
Foundation membership is $25 for individuals, $45 for agencies.
SHARON, Pa. -- A nationally known community activist and a successful Hollywood musician will be featured at a kickoff dinner to increase the visibility and community impact of a local group that awards grants and scholarships and coordinates community services.
Mercer County Human Services Council Foundation held a special meeting Wednesday at the Mercer County Visitors Center to announce the plans.
Foundation President Christal Graham-Jones announced that an inaugural banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Tiffany Manor, Brookfield.
Humanitarian Alice Coles of Bayview, Va., will be the featured speaker, and Leroy Hyter, a jazz pianist and saxophonist from Detroit, will perform.
Guest speakers
Coles, a 54-year-old mother of two, has been featured by the three major news networks as well as on "60 Minutes," and in People magazine, the Washington Post and the New York Times for her efforts to encourage grassroots self-help initiatives.
Hyter, 46, began his career as a recording artist, songwriter and producer in 1978, when he joined the musical group, Al Hudson & amp; the Soul partners. He has toured extensively in Europe and the United States with many contemporary artists. In 1987, he was selected as pianist for "The Cosby Show." He wrote and co-authored many songs including "When You Cry," which received a gold record and Nashville Songwriter's Award and was recorded by the Winans.
His television credits include "Good Morning America," "The Today Show," "The Golden Girls," and "Regis and Kathie Lee."
Tickets for the event or applications for foundation membership can by obtained by calling Graham-Jones at (724) 346-6171 or Foundation Vice-President Mike Holiga at (724) 588-2520 or Secretary Sheila White at (724) 346-1024.
Proceeds will be used for the Foundation's projects. The general public is invited to join the foundation by calling Graham-Jones or Holiga. Membership is $25 and $45 annually for individuals and agencies respectively.