BY STEVE MOCARSKY
A woman who has championed health and education in the nonprofit sector will be toastmistress for the local NAACP chapter’s biggest fundraiser later this month.
Tonyehn Verkitus, executive director of the Lackawanna and Luzerne County Medical Societies and owner of Eco-Arts Living, will fill the role at the Freedom Fund Banquet, Peg Felton, chairperson of the NAACP Wilkes-Barre branch banquet committee, announced Tuesday.
The dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, 71 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre, with networking beginning at 6:30 p.m.
While Verkitus’ work in the nonprofit world has mostly centered on health and food, she also spent many years training organizations and communities on fundraising and telling their mission-based stories.
Verkitus is a founding board member of ACE (Africa Community Exchange) Liberia. She also sits on the boards of the Lackawanna County Arts, Culture and Education Department; the WVIA Community Advisory Board, and the Miles Ahead Foundation.
She leads professional education programs for the Luzerne County Opioid Task Force through the county District Attorney’s Office.
She is also an Alumni of William and Mary College.
The keynote speaker at the banquet will be Brandon Flood, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons.
The organization abruptly canceled last year’s banquet just a few days before it was scheduled to occur, citing the death of the organization’s treasurer, David Barber, earlier that month.
The theme for this year’s banquet is “When we Fight, We Win.” Musical entertainment will be provided by Moodswing.
Tickets are $45 for members and $50 for non-members. Reservations can still be made by calling 570-262-1360.
Contact the writer: smocarsky@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2110; @MocarskyCV
