Seminole County Branch of the NAACP held their 71st Annual Freedom Fund Awards Banquet.

Theme for 2012 was “NAACP: Your Power, Your Decision, Vote!” Saturday, June 2nd the citizens for Sanford gathered to continue their commitment to inspire and motivate us toward a greater sense of urgency in strengthening our ranks and the future direction of equal rights and quality of life for all Americans, says NAACP Seminole County Branch President, Turner Clayton, Jr.

Presentation of colors and the pledge were led by Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard. Invocation was given by Don Brown. Executive committee member, John Wright, welcomed the guests. The Honorable Jeff Triplett, Mayor of the City of Sanford, brought greetings from the city and encouraged us to teach the young people about life. Captain Kip Beacham, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office introduced the speaker for the hour, Dr. Joyce Hamilton-Henry, Director Mid Florida Regional Office of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU, Tampa). Her message was well received as she spoke of the now changes that have and are being made to the voting system.

We must pay strict attention and make sure that we are registered voters because lists of names are being deleted. Musical entertainment was rendered by Faye Henderson and Gospel Praise.

The special awards were presented to: Kenya Moore for Scholarship and Tameka Williams Speaker’s Award for her dedicated service to the branch and to the Youth Department of the local branch.

• Juneteenth Celebration, June 19 to 30. Slavery ended in 1863 except for the state of Texas. It wasn’t until 2 years later they were told, “You are Free, Slavery is over.” They came out of the fields dancing, rejoicing and celebrating.

By June of 1865, all slaves were “Free Men,” women and children. Juneteenth is a celebration to commemorate the freedom of all slaves in the United States and the Deep South.

Juneteenth will be celebrated at the Goldsboro Museum with many activities: An Exhibit of Black Prince: Expressing the Joy of being a free slave; an exhibit of field and celebration clothes; a lesson on why Juneteenth was important and why it is celebrated. Children will receive a take home booklet. A poster contest for students, 5th through 8th grades and grades 9-12. $100 prize for each grad group with the best poster telling the Juneteenth story. Posters will be used in future celebrations. Posters will be judged by one of the sponsors “The OCFBFC.” June 30th, Celebration Fish Fry starting at 11 a.m. Contact the Goldsboro Museum at 407-585-0692 or contact Francis Oliver at 407-416-0416. The Goldsboro Museum is located at 1211 Historic Goldsboro Boulevard.

• Vacation Bible School, June 18 to 22, nightly at 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcomed. Love Center New Beginning Church of God by Faith, Pastor J. Irwing, 1316 Historic Goldsboro Blvd.

• God’s Harvesters Ministry, Inc. monthly luncheon to be held at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 710 Orange Avenue, East Sanford, Saturday, June 23.

A Spaghetti meal will served at 11 a.m. Free to the Community. God’s Harvesters Ministry, Inc. is not profit. Our aim is to provide meals for Central Florida areas regardless of race, creed, color or religion.

We offer meals to those in need, senior citizens, disadvantaged and others. We are asking for help from those who would offer their time, money and need supplies for this outgoing endeavor to be a help to those in need.

If you have a desire to become part of our board, volunteer during an event or to partner monthly with a donation, please make checks payable to God’s Harvesters Ministry, Inc. 1325 Douglas Street, Sanford, FL 32771 or contact Deacon Eugene Alexander, III at 407-323-9105 for Information. Contributions are tax deductible.

• St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 920 Cypress Avenue, Rev. McKennon Fernander, Pastor. The Pastor, Officers and Members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate their 124th Church Anniversary June 24 at 4 p.m. Theme, “Reflecting on our Past While Shaping our Future.” You and your congregation are invited to celebrate with us. Rev. Willie Nixon and the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church family of Jamestown, FL will be in charge.

• Holy Exalted presents a night of Gospel Extravaganza 2012, June 30, 7 p.m., First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 700 South Elm Ave. Featured artists: Holy Exalted, under the direction of Phillipe Miller; H.D. Rucker Ensemble; Cynthia Cassanova Brown, Dem Bennett Boyz and many others. Mistress of Ceremony, Mrs. Arkeshia Graham Hall. Admission is FREE.

• We are looking for retired science teachers. It is not a volunteer position. However, it may be of interest to science teachers who have been retired for one year. Contact Summit Grant Manager, Science Understanding, Math Integrated with Technology at the University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science at www.summit.cecs.ucf.edu, The principal investigator is Dr. Larry Chew from the University of Central Florida 407-823-1935 or 407-787-6426 or www.msmith@ucf.edu .

Participants are paid for their training and participation. All travel expenses will be reimbursed. Sponsored by a grant from the Florida Dept of Education, SUMMIT aims to make students think when presented with challenges and to better prepare them for the FCAT.