Burlington County: NAACP to host awards dinner

MOUNT LAUREL Civil rights attorney Kevin D. Walsh is among 10 community leaders and organizations that will be recognized by the southern Burlington County NAACP at its annual dinner on Oct. 30.

Walsh, executive director of Fair Share Housing, will receive the humanitarian award for his efforts in the battle for affordable housing in New Jersey.

The NAACP branch will hold the Freedom Fund Gala at the Westin Hotel in Mount Laurel, 555 Fellowship Rd., from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

The keynote speaker will be civil rights attorney William H. Murphy Jr. of Baltimore. He represents the family of Freddie Gray, whose death after his arrest by city police there sparked looting and unrest earlier this year.

The other honorees are:

New Jersey State Police Lt. Brian Polite, professional achievement award.

Palmyra Police Chief Scott Pearlman, professional achievement award.

The Rev. Stanley Hearst Sr., pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Moorestown, drum major award.

Shane Fitzgerald, executive editor of the Burlington County Times, W.E.B. DuBois Award.

Burlington/Camden County Achievement Foundation Inc. Kappa Beautillion, legacy award.

Retired Air Force Maj. Sean P. Hoggs, legacy award.

National Hook-Up of Black Women, Cherry Hill Chapter, community service award.

Monique Begg and the Friends Enrichment Program, community service award.

Reva Foster, director, Willingboro Township Department of Aging and Senior Citizen Center, public service award.

Tickets are $70 and can be purchased through Oct. 15 at www.sbcff2015.eventbrite.com.

For more information contact Jeanetta Warren at 856-209-4450. - Melanie Burney