On Sunday, November 15, Oakwood University and the North Alabama United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Joint Campaign Committee hosted an inaugural First Ladies Tea, in keeping with the 24th National Philanthropy Day. This is a special day set aside each year to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy—and those active in the philanthropic community—have made to our lives, our communities, and our world.

A special invitation was extended to all the First Ladies of Huntsville’s area churches to the celebrate the spirit of giving to the worthy cause of higher education by supporting the UNCF Joint Campaign of North Alabama. The event took place at The Ledges Country Club, located at 32 Castle Down Drive in Huntsville. This venue offered the ambiance of an elegant English Tudor-style clubhouse that graces the mountainside of one of Huntsville’s most attractive settings.

The high tea honored the pastors’ wives of our community who work tirelessly throughout the year to support their husbands’ ministries. The North Alabama UNCF Joint Campaign Committee wanted to say “thank you” for investing your time and energies in community-based ministries that touch our lives in one way or another and help to make our Huntsville community one of the nationally-rated best places in which to live and raise a family.

As always, the annual UNCF Gala will highlight this UNCF campaign drive, which will be held April 1, 2010 at the Von Braun Center.  NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., will be the keynote speaker. We invite you to partner with us in supporting higher education by participating in this year’s UNCF Campaign.  For more information, contact campaign manager Cheri Wilson at Oakwood University, 726-7584, or email her at cwilson@oakwood.edu .