The Scotland County NAACP Branch will present its 34th annual Freedom Fund Banquet Oct. 24 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Fellowship Hall of Bright Hopewell Baptist Church in Laurinburg, with guest speaker Dr. Dannellia Gladden-Green scheduled to appear.

State Rep. Garland Pierce is both pastor of Bright Hopewell Church and president of the Scotland County Branch of the NAACP.

"We will be highlighting our accomplishments for the year as well as acknowledging the 100th year of the NAACP," Pierce said. "We also plan to recognize four persons for their NAACP life memberships, as well as others who have been recognized on the state level."

There will also be plenty of good food, according to Pierce.

"We will have a full course buffet with turkey, ham, and seasonal vegetables," Pierce said. "It will be a time of fellowship, when we can all come together and enjoy one another's company."

Gladden-Green, the granddaughter of Mrs. Amanda Strickland of Wagram, also known as Mrs. Minnie McNair, is the author of "Speak Life: Poems of Application and Inspiration", and "Unconventional Wisdom: Grandpa June's Admonitions to 'Stink Mo'". She holds a Ph.D in Electronic Materials from North Carolina State University and has the distinction of being the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate degree in Materials, Science and Engineering from NCSU.

Asked "What are you doing with your Freedom?", Gladden-Green stated that the current economic crisis "is only second to the crisis of conscience in America. As African-Americans, we have a rich history of standing up for ourselves and others. We have fought for justice and stood on the side of right -- in the past. The 21st century can be no different. (My) speech revises the call to action for people of purpose and destiny. It focuses on the freedoms we enjoy and the freedoms for which we must continue to defend."

Approximately 125 seats are confirmed with 150 expected at Saturday's banquet, according to Pierce.

"We will welcome our members, and encourage others who are not members to join," Pierce said. "We extend thanks to all who have supported us through the year and we look forward to greeting anyone who can be with us at our annual function."

Admission for the 34th annual Freedom Fund Banquet is $20 for adults and $10 for youth.