In its sixth biennial year, the Dr. J.R. Todd Scholarship Banquet will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the new Adams County Community Safe Room (storm shelter). Tickets are $50 and on sale now from members of the Rho Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

The speaker for this year’s event is fraternity member Dr. Christopher Brown, who serves as Southern University at Baton Rouge’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.

The banquet’s purpose is two-fold; it honors one of the chapter’s founders, Bro. Dr. J.R. Todd, for his tremendous contributions in the field of medicine and community service to the Miss-Lou area, and it raises funds for annual scholarships to deserving high school graduates in Adams, Amite, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties in Mississippi and Concordia Parish in Louisiana. Each year in May, the Rho Epsilon Lambda Foundation selects up to two students from each county and parish to receive the scholarships.

Dr. Todd’s mere presence in our community inspired many young men and women to go to college and pursue a professional career. It is our goal to enshrine this great legacy by providing needed financial support to deserving students.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s aims are “manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind.” In all of its programs, Alpha emphasizes the three principles. For the banquet, since its inception in 2005, more than $55,000 has been raised for scholarships through event sponsorships and ticket sales. Thank you Adams and surrounding counties and parish for your support over the years for not only the banquet, but also for helping students in your communities go to college.

In addition to purchasing tickets, businesses and individuals are invited to make a tax-deductible donation for the event to the Rho Epsilon Lambda Foundation Inc. at four levels. The platinum level is $1,500, gold is $1,000, silver is $500 and bronze is $250. The foundation’s mailing address is: P.O. Box 921, Natchez, MS 39121.

For more information, Banquet Committee Chairman Michael Winn Sr. can be contacted at 601-807-0745, or the Rho Epsilon Lambda chapter can be contacted at rhoepsilonlambda@gmail.com.

Steven Richardson is the president of Rho Epsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.