In 1936, Owensboro’s Northwest neighborhood established what would soon be named the H.L. Neblett Community Center. To celebrate 88 years of service, the organization is holding an “All-white Fundraiser” event in August.
Executive Director Martiza Meeks said this achievement is best described in one phrase: “We shall overcome.”
“We’re a Black-founded, brick-and-mortar nonprofit in the state of Kentucky. We’re really proud of the history and the ‘We shall overcome’ moment that we represent as an organization and that we’ve grown into a multicultural representation of the community,” Meeks said.
The event will take place on August 24 at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. There will be raffles, a live auction, a dinner, and an awards ceremony for staff.
Meeks said the money raised will go toward updating the Neblett Center on 5th Street. She noted that the building has been in its current location for approximately 20 years without a renovation.
“It’s time to replace, update, and refresh, such as painting our hallways, and we have to maintain our facilities on the outside, like the playground,” she said.
The playground at the Center presently doesn’t provide the variety of outlets and sensory engagement she would like. In addition, she said there are no shading structures that are necessary during peak heat months.
“It’s so important to give kids those a variety of outlets to learn, grow, develop, and shade because these playgrounds get very, very hot,” Meeks said.
The estimate Meeks found for the upgrades would cost roughly $300,000.
In addition to the playground renovations, Meeks said they are also looking to fund their Clubhouse Network, which will provide members with technology literacy and other equipment lessons. In the program, students will learn about making T-shirts, 3D printers, laptops, and a studio production room.
The gala will be utilized to kick off several parts of the renovations and programs they hope to start. Tickets for the event are $75 for general admission, $50 for seniors (60+), and $25 for college students (18-25). Tickets can be purchased here.
Meeks said they hope the community will continue to support them and celebrate the monumental anniversary as they have before.
“Let’s have some fun,” she said. “Hopefully, we will get support from the community and folks even with the prices.”
