MLK Celebration set for Monday

GONZALES — Each year the Edwards Association put on a march, program and luncheon, to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration is scheduled for Dr. King's holiday, on Monday, Jan. 15. The theme of this year's celebration is Sharing the Dream – moving forward as a nation in unity, without regards to race, wealth or past history.

As in years past, there will be a march, which will assemble just before 11 a.m. and proceed from downtown Gonzales' Texas Heroes Square to the Edwards Community Center. The march follows a route down St. Lawrence to Church Street, turning toward St. Andrew Street. Then after a brief pause at Providence Baptist Church – Gonzales' oldest African American church – the march will proceed down St. Andrew to Edwards Community Center at the intersection of Klein Street and Fry Street.

This year the march is followed by a program on the life of Dr. King featuring student speakers from North Avenue Intermediate School, as well as music by the Gonzales High School Jazz Band. Praise dancers and other musical groups will also perform, coming both from local churches and visiting churches.

Special guests and expressions will be made by: Gonzales Mayor Connie Kacir; GISD Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Strozier; and Edwards High Alumna JoAnn Tucy Lewis.

The morning festivities will wrap up with the Annual Love and Unity Luncheon Cooked by Edwards Association Members. The Association will serve up smoked sausage and all the trimmings for those in attendance.

In conjunction with the celebration Edwards Association members are doing a Food Drive. Donations of items such as canned vegetables, soups, beans, evaporated milk, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, chicken, sauces, etc.; and boxed potatoes, stuffing, pasta, skillet dinners, dry milk, spices, dried beans, rice etc. Are appreciated.

Tax-deductible donations may still be sent to Edwards Association MLK Day Celebration, P.O. Box 1823, Gonzales, Texas 78629.