The Davie County 2018 NAACP Humanitarian Award was presented to Lash Sanford at the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet.

Historically, this award is presented to a person whose life work exemplifies a dedication to freedom, justice and equality.

From college accomplishments to advancement to the rank of colonel in the Air Force, he distinguished himself before returning to Mocksville.

His service in the community includes being a member of a number of clubs, serving on numerous boards and agencies, chairing the Davie YMCA, Group Home and Senior Services boards, being in leadership at First Presbyterian Church and getting elected to three terms as a town commissioner.

As part of his acceptance speech, Sanford shared the history related to the organization of the NAACP, by a bi-racial group, in 1909 to advocate for political, educational, social, and economic justice for disenfranchised African-Americans who had also met with racial violence.

Dr. Socerey Montgomery Speas, a professor in the department of communications and media studies at Winston-Salem State University, was the keynote speaker. Using one of her favorite scriptures, she challenged those in attendance to embrace letting their lights shine doing good work.

The next event is the local Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration  in January.