Community gathers for annual NAACP Freedom Gala

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Community leaders and citizens gathered at Knox College last night to “celebrate the unity of community.”

Those words come from Galesburg NAACP President Doc Patterson who led last night’s annual Freedom Gala–a kick-off event that celebrates Black History Month. 

Among the estimated 300 plus attendees, a number of area dignitaries were in attendance for the dinner-dance, including Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Galesburg Mayor John Pritchard and Knox College President Teresa Amott. 

Patterson told WGIL that the turnout shows that the community is accepting of cultural diversity. 

“The community leaders are here to show support to not only our branch but they also are involved in all of the things that we do in this community,” says Patterson. “We can call the Mayor’s office, the Fire Chief, the Police Chief–we’re never reactive to anything. We are always proactive, and those are the folks that come out and help us.”  

Various community awards were given out last night as well, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. award which was presented to State Representative Don Moffitt. 

The fundraising event supports various NAACP scholarships. The organization set a $15,000 goal for the Gala.

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