BY VANESSA ECHOLS
FOR THE OBSERVER
EAST ALABAMA — An East Alabama nonprofit organization is inviting the community to ditch the formal wear, lace up some sparkling sneakers and join it to raise money to provide scholarships for Lee County students. People of Action for Community Enrichment, or PACE, will host its annual fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 22. This year’s theme is “A Sparkling Sneaker Affair.”
PACE started in 1986, when six local men got together to develop a program of activities for their sons during the summer break from school.
Those visionaries were: Earl Cosby, Rev. Clifford Jones, Dr. Willie Larkin, Keith Parker, Rev. Jonas Rutledge and Median Vidrine. A year later, other men in the community had joined the group and they realized their daughters and other members of the community could benefit from those programs as well.
Each year, PACE awards $1,000 scholarships in two categories for Lee County students. To qualify for the PACE Scholarship, students must show a financial need, leadership skills, academic achievement and outstanding community service. Students can start applying for that scholarship this month. PACE awards the George D. Echols Community Service Scholarship to students who have made a positive impact in their schools and communities by demonstrating exemplary leadership, integrity and citizenship as volunteers in the community.
“These scholarships are in keeping with PACE’s overall mission of helping students continue their education and making an investment in the lives of those students right here in Lee County,” said PACE volunteer Wanda Lewis.
Every year, the nonprofit also awards the Arthur Hill Sr. Community Service Award to a member of the community who is making significant contributions to the community, as well as the Outstanding PACE Member Award.
In addition to working to provide scholarships, PACE volunteers are also actively involved in the East Alabama community. They partner with several other local nonprofits, including the Food Bank of East Alabama and the Community Market to address food insecurity in our area. PACE members volunteer with those organizations, and the group makes monthly financial donations to address hunger issues in East Alabama. PACE volunteers also support the annual Cookie Walk, which raises money to support the work of Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity and partners with Carver Primary School in Opelika and Greater Peace Child Development Center for their back-to-school supply drives.
The group chooses a different theme each year for its marquee fundraiser. Past events have included “Dancing Through The Decades,” “Mardi Gras in October” and last year, “An Evening In Paris.”
“It’s always a fun evening with food, fellowship and music,” said program committee member Dr. Addie Swinney. “We work hard every year to come up with a different, creative theme we hope our guests will embrace and enjoy.”
For this year’s “Sparkling Sneaker Affair,” guests are invited to wear business casual and sparkling or shiny sneakers. The event is Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Greater Peace Life Center, 650 Jeter Ave. in Opelika. To purchase tickets, email paceleecounty@gmail.com.
