PBM Charity Dinner

By Kestrel Ambrose

Since Progressive Black Men Inc. was founded in 1989 at FSU under the principles of communal support, academic excellence and brotherly fellowship, the organization has dedicated time and service to the campus, Tallahassee and the surrounding communities.

PBM will host its Second Annual Tale of Two Charities Benefit Dinner in Miller Hall on Friday, Nov. 19, from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. “The first benefit dinner was held in 2008, when then-President Anthony Wright and Vice President Adrian Williams decided to add what they hoped would be an annual event.

to PBM’s Fall Service Week,” said Matthew Mascoe, PBM’s university relations chair. “They settled on a Tale of Two Charities because there weren’t many events of its kind.”
The American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society were the first two charities chosen.

“The inaugural event was sold out with more than 275 guests representing 30 diverse organizations,” said Sebastian Berry, the vice president of FSU PBM. “We continuously strive to maintain the principles previously stated and look forward to the opportunity to use this benefit dinner as a venue for increased collectivity on campus.”

The theme of this year’s ball is “Disaster Relief,” and proceeds from the event will benefit both NOLES for Haiti and the American Red Cross.

“We chose NOLES and the American Red Cross as our charities because of the work they do to aid in disaster relief,” Mascoe said. “The American Red Cross does a lot of work in areas that have been hit by natural disasters.”

NOLES for Haiti is a student organization that came together to raise money and provide aid for Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the country earlier this year. The Haitian government estimated that 230,000 people died in the earthquake that struck on Jan. 12.

“We wanted to be able to provide them with a donation that they could use to continue their service efforts in the country of Haiti,” Mascoe said.

Students, faculty and staff can purchase individual tickets for $8. A table, which seats eight, can also be purchased (as well as an advertisement in the program) for $50. Dinner will be catered by Olive Garden.

Students and organizations interested in participating in the benefit dinner can contact PBM via e-mail at fsu@pbm1989.org, Sebastian Berry at (864) 380-8267, or Matthew Mascoe at (407) 927-4913.