Holiday event to support literacy

Tsunami Development Literacy Program will hold a holiday mixer fundraising event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Rowan Museum. This interactive mixer will give the community an opportunity to socialize and mingle with other supporters while also contributing to enhancing the literacy skills of third- through fifth-graders in Rowan County. This catered event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction.

The speaker for the evening is Phil Ford. Ford played four years of basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; during his sophomore season, Ford started for the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in 1976. While a senior, he averaged 20.8 points a game during that 1977–78 season.

Ford is the number two all-time leading scorer in North Carolina history with 2,290 points. Ford was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in May 1991. Ford works for the Educational Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the University of North Carolina athletic department. He also briefly served as color commentator on UNC basketball broadcasts and assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats.

There are a limited number of tickets available for a donation of $50. Tickets can be purchased and donations can be made by contacting Dr. Yolanda Meade Byrd at 704-267-8494 or drbyrdlcsw@yahoo.com.

Gemstones holds black tie gala