PELHAM – The Shelby County NAACP is hosting its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Shelby County chapter secretary Teresa Stafford said the event serves as a fundraiser for the chapter to help fund various programs throughout the year. Stafford said the organization hosts political and educational programs, such as its Restore the Vote program and continual voter registration efforts.

The banquet will feature guest speaker Dr. Elaine Harrington, a civil rights advocate and retired college professor.

As a lifelong member of the organization, Stafford said Harrington is “one of the original foot soldiers” of the NAACP. She has held several positions within the NAACP, including local branch president, Ni State President and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors.

Harrington will speak on the theme for the banquet, which is “NAACP: It’s relevancy yesterday, today and even for tomorrow.”

Tickets for the banquet are $50 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.

The Shelby County NAACP meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Grant Chapel AME Church in Calera.