NAACP Bucks County asks annual banquet attendees to bring necessities to donate to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico

Bucks County >> Karen Downer, president of the NAACP Bucks County Branch 2253, asks that people attending the organization’s 66th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet to bring non-perishable items to support the people impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

The banquet will be held on Saturday, Oct.21 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Parx Racing & Casino, 3001 Street Road, Bensalem.

Several organizations in the Greater Delaware Valley Area are uniting in conjunction with the USGLC (United States Global Leadership Council) and other private donors to collect items of basic need to send to Puerto Rico.

A Bucks County church, Temple International of Restoration (TIR Church) in Levittown, has mobilized and are filling up trucks with critical supplies for transport to Puerto Rico.

The Bucks County NAACP will collect and deliver the items to TIR Church.

The following is a list of necessities: LED lamps (battery-powered), batteries, powdered milk and liquid milk in boxes, baby formula, pampers, battery-powered fans, canned foods, mosquito repellant, paper goods, generators, water, over-the-counter medications, non-perishables, first aid kits and toiletries

Downer said it is important for the community to help Puerto Rico in any way possible since Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

“After major disasters, we often would like to do something to help the victims,” she said. “The devastation in Puerto Rico is just such a catastrophe. The millions of people need water, they need electricity, they need every-day basic items.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Thomas Wolf (D-Pa.) will be the keynote speaker.

The event kicks off a scholarship fund to support young people seeking higher educational opportunities.

The theme of the banquet is: “NAACP: Steadfast and Immovable.”

This year’s award recipients are: Joyce Hadley, Bucks County Human Relations Council – Community Service Award; Dr. Umar Farooq, Knights Medical Associates – Community Service Award; Thomas Tosti, director, AFSCME District Council 88– Community Service Award; Esteban Vera, Jr., business manager, Laborers (LIUNA) Local Union #57 – Pioneer Award; Mother Katherine Drexel, Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament – Pioneer Award.

Tickets for the banquet are $65.

For additional information or to order tickets, please call the branch at 215-364-1057 or email bucksnaacp@bucksnaacp2253.org