ACTION schedules annual fundraiser

Youngstown

The faith-based community organizing group ACTION will have its 10th annual community fundraiser and banquet May 1 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel St.

The Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing Our Neighborhoods event will feature Cynthia Anderson, president of Youngstown State University. Her topic will be on the theme, “Standing Up for Quality Education.”

Guests of honor will include Laura Meeks, president of Eastern Gateway Community College; Connie Hathorn, superintendent of Youngstown City Schools; Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, school superintendent of the Diocese of Youngstown; and Bruce W. Thomas, superintendent of Warren City Schools.

Teachers and students from various schools in the Youngstown-Warren area will be recipients of the Frances Kerpsack Humanitarian Award.

The annual banquet, planned for 5 p.m., is ACTION’s sole community fundraiser. Local residents are invited to support and celebrate the group’s efforts to improve living conditions in the Mahoning Valley.

Tickets are $30 per person or $220 per table of eight people. All contributions are tax-deductible.

The Rev. J. Dwayne Heard, president of ACTION and pastor of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, said the banquet will fund key initiatives in areas including education.

Proceeds also will fund ACTION’s crime and safety initiatives, programs addressing unemployment and economic issues, and planning for the 2012 Leadership Youth Explosion on April 21 at YSU.

For information, call Minister Rose Carter at the ACTION office, 330-782-7433.