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Community Impact The Mildred Council Annual:Community Dinner is an important community <br />“happening” in Orange County’s calendar.It was named after Mildred <br />Council, Mama Dip,after her death in 2018.After the event received a <br />National League of Cities Award in 2014 for the 17th Dinner at a US <br />Congress Legislative breakfast in W ashington DC, it was noticeable that <br />many other community dinners were started in the US based on our <br />model.For many community participants attending the event, the <br />performance that they witness may be the only performance they will see in <br />a calendar year.Our audience comprises many from economically and <br />physically challenged community groups including the Triangle Disability <br />Awareness Council, Club Nova mental health center,Orange County Senior <br />Centers,the Inter Faith Council’s male and female shelters including <br />children, and also marginalized culturally diverse communities.For these <br />groups we provide underwritten tickets funded by donations and ticket <br />money from community members who can afford to pay.The ticket price is <br />$10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.Tickets are available on <br />line through Eventbrite and the same site accepts donations.Our event <br />committee is culturally diverse and includes representatives from the <br />Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion and Orange County Housing <br />Department’s social justice specialists.They have access to translators <br />who provide us with publicity materials in English,Spanish,French,Karen <br />and Mandarin.They also have deep connections with the Latinx <br />community.All our performers see performing at this event as both an <br />opportunity and a privilege given the many illustrious performers we have <br />showcased in the past.All the event’s participants note that eating and <br />working alongside people from different cultures is a rewarding experience <br />and supports our mantra “ Sit down with a stranger and leave with a friend” <br />The event relies on the participation of community volunteers and we have <br />participation from many youth groups including the Transplanting Traditions <br />Community Karen Farm Youth Program,the Chapel/ Hill Carrboro City <br />Schools Blue Ribbon Mentorship Program and various UNC fraternities.the <br />entrance corridor to the event is lined with seventeen non profit <br />organizations with information tables.These non profits include Orange <br />County agencies such as the Orange County Public Library and the Office <br />of Equity and Inclusion.Disability groups are also heavily represented.This <br />non profit participation amplifies the community impact of the event itself. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 1919D598-D3BA-49A6-BCA6-E8394D2CAE66