Banquet applauds Harlem program
Neighborhood group honored for successes
A county commissioner and Georgia senator joined in congratulating a Harlem organization on its success.
The Harlem Neighborhood Development Corp. held its fourth annual Trailblazer Banquet on Friday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Columbia County Chairman Barry Fleming served as the evening's Master of Ceremonies.
The Harlem-based group is a non-profit organization that houses several programs aimed to educate children and adults. It has an after-school program for pupils of Harlem Middle School and is used by Augusta Tech for adult education classes.
"As chairman, I have the honor of traveling throughout this county," Fleming said. "I can say there aren't very many organizations that I am prouder of than this one."
Fleming was joined by close to 80 people in honoring the group and welcoming Georgia Sen. Joey Brush, who served as the evening's keynote speaker.
Brush told the crowd a organization such as the Harlem Neighborhood Development Corp. is a great service to the community because of its dedication to helping people better themselves.
Brush said when he was growing up, he would have benefited from such an organization.
"I was suspended in the first grade," said Brush, adding he was also suspended in the fourth grade. "I don't know anyone else who was suspended in the first grade."
During his speech, Brush thanked the group for its vision, and for doing something to address a need in the community.
"You saw a need and got people motivated to find a solution," Brush said.
After Brush's talk, the Rev. Melvin Adams, the founder and president of the Harlem Neighborhood DevelopmentCorp. , thanked the crowd for its support and laid out the mission of his group.
Adams said he wants to help people achieve reading and computer literacy to aid them in achieving economic empowerment. The organization can do that, Adams said, with the support of businesses and citizens of all surrounding counties.
"All we need to do is keep working," Adams said. "When people work together, mountains are no longer mountains."