Hope Featured as Theme of 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

The seventh annual Westerville Community Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration centers on celebrating and restoring hope in a time when economic uncertainties and social conflicts remain prominent on the world stage. The Dream Lives on: A Tribute to Hope was established as this year’s theme in an effort to create a living example of Dr. King’s belief in hope for stronger, more united communities.

The morning celebration will take place on Monday, Jan. 16 at 8 a.m., featuring entertainment, song, guest speakers and recognitions for student and community leaders who embody the ideals of Dr. King. The annual Alston Award, named in honor of Miriam Alston and the group of slaves she freed who traveled to the Westerville area in 1859, will be awarded to a member of the community who has demonstrated the characteristics of Dr. King – tolerance, respect, kindness, bravery and tenacity – and who respects differences in others and will take action when he or she sees an injustice. Two Westerville City Schools students will be named 2012 Fouse Award recipients, an honor named after William H. Fouse, the first black graduate of Westerville Public Schools and Otterbein University. Featured presenter Valarie Holmes will present a dramatic interpretation of the relevance of Dr. King’s dream and enduring messages of hope and determination. Holmes is a historian from Newport News, Va., and regularly performs in re-enactments in Colonial Williamsburg. For the first time in the Celebration’s history, an honorary co-chair has been named to represent local commitments to charity, hope and giving. Scott Marier, Executive Director of WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry), will be recognized in this new role.

Additionally, in its annual tradition of continuing the celebration throughout the day, Otterbein University will host service projects through its “Day On” community service program. Breakfast attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in a “Messages of Hope” campaign to benefit soldiers of the Ohio National Guard 684 Medical Unit, currently serving in Afghanistan. The Unit, which formerly operated out of the Armory located in Uptown Westerville, was officially adopted by the community earlier this year. Each attendee can write a hope-based message of thanks, inspiration or encouragement that will be sent to the men and women currently serving our country.

Presented by Leadership Westerville, the breakfast celebration registration prices are $20 per adult and $10 per student. Businesses may sponsor a table for $250, which includes 10 breakfast registrations and the recognition as a table sponsor in the event program.

The event is being held at the Villa Milano Banquet & Conference Center (1630 Schrock Rd.). Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 8 a.m. For more information, please visit the event site on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WestervilleMLK.

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Cubic yards of leaves were collected in the 2011 leaf collection program.