Harlem group holds fund-raiser

For the Harlem Neighborhood Development Corporation, it's more than a fund-raiser. It's a showcase of work being done and a glimpse of what's to come.

The group's fourth annual Trailblazer Fund-Raiser Banquet will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased by calling 556-0209.

State Sen. Joey Brush (R-Appling) will serve as the keynote speaker of the event, which will feature a buffet, music and an awards presentation.

"This is our major fund-raiser," said Rev. Melvin Adams, president of the corporation. "But we are looking to continue to create community involvement across the CSRA."

Adams said his group, based in Harlem, gets a great deal of support from organizations from throughout surrounding counties. That support allows the corporation to house nine different programs, he said.

They have a day-care academy that is 95 percent full, a computer lab used by children and adults and an after school program for Harlem Middle School that provides the children with hot meals.

The East Central Georgia Consortium, which helps people locate and prepare for job interviews, is also housed in the building. Plans exist to create services for the elderly.

"We want to help everybody from all ages and all walks of life," Adams said. "We teach character development."

Adams said he would like to see the corporation remain in Harlem but help similar programs gain life in other parts of Richmond, McDuffie and Columbia counties. That is why the banquet is so important, he said.

"We are trying to tap all the wells out there to help us keep our resources going."