Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the D.L. Barrett Awards Banquet is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Cleburne Conference Center, 1501 W. Henderson St.
Promising a night full of good food and fun, organizers also plan a memorial presentation of the late Rev. D.L. Barrett and his vision of the East Cleburne Community Center nearly three decades ago.
Barrett wanted to provide a safe haven for education and recreation for the children of the community. Today, many programs including after school tutoring, art classes, mentoring and day camps can exist because of community outreach, donations and volunteers.
“He was the founder and chairman of the community center for a long time,” community center Special Events Coordinator Dexter Baldwin said. “[The banquet] originally started out as a fundraiser. It was a black history celebration and an opportunity for people to come out to learn about the community center programs.”
Baldwin, who has been the event coordinator for several years, said the banquet has evolved into a night where people and organizations from the community are honored for their selfless acts.
“We try to recognize people who have gone above the ordinary in humanitarian service,” Baldwin said. “We will also have a production that highlights some of the events of the past, and some of the programs and children that have come through [the community center].”
At 6:30 p.m., a silent auction will begin, which runs until 15 minutes after the program ends. Donations, including a flat-screen TV, restaurant gift cards and home decor, are part of the auction.
Baldwin said many new sponsors have signed on this year.
“I think some of that is in part due to our honorary chairmen [Lowell ‘Stretch’ and Shirley Smith],” he said. “So many people know them. That’s why so many people have signed up this year.”
Awards given out during the banquet include the Outstanding Youth Service award. The award, based on academics and community involvement, will be given to three individuals to be named at the banquet.
The Outstanding Community Service award will be presented to three organizations this year: the City Union King’s Daughters, Tour de Goatneck and Southwestern Adventist University for their donations, contributions and volunteer work in the community.
The Outstanding Humanitarian Service award goes to Dr. Mike White, who has been part of the Cleburne hospital — in its many forms — for more than 30 years. White has also traveled to a long list of countries on medical missions.
The Outstanding Achievement Award goes to Jimmy Jones for his success in music over the last several years.
Dinner is catered by the Greater Mount Zion Sanctuary Church.
Tickets, sold through the community center and at the door, are $25. Sponsored tables of 10 are $250. For tickets or more information, contact the community center at 817-556-3716.
