Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 2-27-18

Features
100th Anniversary NAACP Banquet Sets New Records
MS. YVETTE LEWIS President, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, a series of “first” took place at the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP Annual Banquet. The banquet is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
The banquet marked the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP. It was the first ban- quet held under the leader- ship of Ms. Yvette Lewis. It was the first time the ban- quet took place in the month of February. And, it set a record for the largest atten- dance for the branch.
The theme of the ban- quet this year was “Stead- fast and Immovable.” Attorney Tom Scarritt, Jr., was this year’s Hon- orary Chairman. Rev. Larry J. Mouton, Jr., Senior Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church delivered the keynote ad- dress.
Ms. Lewis, who served as the Chairperson of the banquet said, “It was a great
event. I was very over- whelmed and humbled by the support given to us.
“There were more than 950 people there and the State President called and said it was the largest in the County and the largest in the State. I’m really grateful to the people who prayed for me, who loves me, and who supports me.”
Joe Robinson, Ban- quet Co-Chairman and Sec- ond Vice President said, “The Hillsborough County NAACP Branch’s 2018 Free- dom Fund Dinner was a record breaking historical success.
“We have well over 600 new memberships being processed. We want to thank the entire community and businesses for their support.
Itisnowtimetogetto work on the numerous is- sues that the NAACP needs to address in our Hillsbor- ough County!”
Award Recipients
Each year, the organiza-
tion recognizes people in the community who have made lasting contributions. How- ever, this year, three people in attendance when they were recognized.
Ms. Lewis said Hills- borough County Commis- sioner Les Miller, Jr., and Attorney Tom Scar- ritt were presented the Freedom Fighter Award. They were honored for their efforts to have a Confederate statue removed from in front of the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
Ms. Kathy Henry,
NAACP member and volun- teer, was the recipient of the President’s Award for her tireless dedication to the or- ganization.
Others honored at the banquet were:
Michael Dozier, recip- ient of the Living Bridges Award. This award is pre- sented to an individual who has dedicated years of time and energy to the commu- nity. He or she has consis- tently worked to improve the community alone and in conjunction with others.
Six community members were recipients of the “Un- sung Hero Award.” They were: Ms. Mary M. James, W. E. B. DuBose Unsung Hero Award; Thaddeus Bullard, Rev. Hosea Williams Un- sung Hero Award; and Pastor Tom Jones, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Unsung Hero Award.
Ms. Connie Burton
received the Fannie Lou Hamer Unsung Hero Award.
The Madame C. J. Walker Unsung Hero Award was presented to business owners, Rechi Butler and Carl “Ice Cream” Waltower.
JOE ROBINSON Second Vice President,
Hillsborough County Branch NAACP
ATTORNEY TOM SCARRITT Award Recipient
COMMISSIONER LES MILLER, JR. Award Recipient
MS. KATHY HENRY Award Recipient
Police Seek Driver In Fatal Hit And Run
Patino-Villa Vehicle
Unknown Driver Vehicle
The Florida Highway Pa- trol and law enforcement of- ficers are searching for a driver involved in a deadly ac- cident. The accident took place Sunday on U. S. High- way 301 and Gerry Lane, in Hillsborough County.
According to troopers, the unidentified driver of a 2014 Nissan Sentra was passing a 2002 Ford F150 in the inside lane. The driver of the F150, identified as Manuel Patino-Villa, 57, of Tampa, was traveling northbound as well. The driver of the Sentra passed, but failed to slow for the F-150. As a result, the car collided with the back of the truck.
The impact caused the truck to overturn with Patino-Villa and Ms. Maria Munguia-Vil- lasenor, 55, of Tampa, to partially ejected from the ve-
hicle. There were also two children, Jeanette Vieyra, 1, and Jouri Vieyra, 13, both of Tampa, in the truck.
Patino-Villa died at the scene and Ms. Munguia- Villasenor was critically in- jured. The infant received minor injuries as well.
After the accident, the driver of the Sentra, de- scribed as an African Ameri- can man wearing read, black, and white clothing, report- edly abandoned his vehicle, got into the passenger side of Nissan vehicle driven by a Hispanic female, and fled the scene.
Anyone with any informa- tion pertaining to the acci- dent is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at (813) 558-1800, *FHP (347), Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS, or www.crimestopperstb.com.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018