Service over self is theme as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated in Tabor City

Rev. Toni Vereen speaks passionately during the Tabor City Dr. Martin Luther King celebration Monday. (Deuce Niven, TLT)

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     “If I can help somebody, as I pass along…then my living shall not be in vain.”

     Borrowing from Mahalia Jackson’s “If I Can Help Somebody,” Rev. Toni Vereen set a tone of service over self during Monday’s annual observance of the birth of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Tabor City.

     Currently president of the Tabor City Douglas Alumni National Chapter, Rev. Vereen served as keynote speaker for the hour-long celebration held in the Club 15 Civic League Building.

     It was a church-like celebration, with Dr. John C. Williams Jr. admitting to being “churchy” as he offered greetings, and encouraged everyone to shout out in praise.

     Williams is a pastor and President of the Tabor City Douglas Alumni chapter.

     Look for more on the celebration in Wednesday’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.