Page 91 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

Heritage 91

Soul Food

Gala

M acedonia Missionary Baptist Church (MMBC) had its second
“Soul Food Gala” on February 26, 2015 at the River Park
Community Center on 11th Street North. It fostered a feeling
of togetherness, food, family, friends and fun with an evening
of entertainment by the Youth Choir of Macedonia and Tenor, James
McDuffy of Fort Myers.

Those in attendance were treated to food prepared by Ms. Catherine Bulger
and Ms. Alma Williams of Macedonia. They served barbecue ribs, turkey,
fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, corn, green beans, rolls and cornbread,
and Ms. Irene Williams’ collard greens.

Ms. Irene Williams helped to chair the event along with Mayor John Sorey,
Reverend Lonnie Mills, Harold Weeks, and Lodge McKee. Reverend Irvin
Stallworth was the “MC”for the evening and Councilman Bill Barnett was
the auctioneer extraordinaire of this extravaganza.

The live auction was so successful that a bid to the Swanson Winery in
California sold for $2,500 and another for the same price was offered and
accepted. In addition, two Spiritual Concert and Old Fashion Fish Fry
tickets sponsored by MMBC for 50 people sold for $1,000 each.

According to the Finance Secretary, Tangie Burns, the evening brought in
an estimated $20,000 before expenses. All monies raised will be used for
the Building Fund only. Last year enough money was raised to replace all
the windows inside the church and two new bathroom doors were installed.
This year the members are planning to purchase a new front door for the
church, windows for the annex, and to decorate the windows installed
inside last year.

Two other projects in the works will be installing new carpet and pews.

Macedonia is so grateful to the Naples community for their support of the
Gala. Next year’s Gala is already being planned and we look forward to
seeing you at this great event.

If you have any questions,please contact Voncile Whitaker at 239.262.4877,
or 239.641.5069 or email mmbc@bapt1003.comcastbiz.net.

Life in Naples | April 2015