Seymour Johnson AFB support effort starts
By Matt Caulder
Published in News on March 9, 2014 1:50 AM
mcaulder@newsargus.com
The newly resurrected Seymour Support Council, operating as the Friends of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, will hold its inaugural ball March 29 at the Walnut Creek Country Club.
The gala will include dinner, a silent auction and presentations by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, McGuire Woods Consulting of Raleigh and Cassidy and Associates of Washington, D.C.
The event will also feature a keynote address by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven L. Kwast.
The proceeds from the gala will fund the Friends' efforts in support of the base.
"We are working to prepare for anticipated challenges," MAC president Ben Seegars said. "There are always challenges, budget cuts, troop drawdowns, irresponsible development."
Seegars is working with the newly reborn group to bring the base's issues to the forefront.
He sites the Pantego Wind Energy Project as an ongoing developmental threat to the base and by extension the county as a whole.
He said members of the community who care about its future need to be aware of the impact the base has on Wayne County -- and what would happen without it.
"If you are an individual and don't think you don't need or don't want the base here, you're wrong," Seegars said. "That base is the anchor that keeps property taxes down. I would say come to the event and see what it is about."
Seegars said the group has a team of dedicated volunteers searching out support, but that it could always use more.
"Our people are out there making visits and knocking on doors," he said. "We are trying to get the word out because people just don't know about it. We just need help getting the word out."
Seegars said that so far those calls for support have been met with great interest from the business community, but added that continued efforts are needed for the Council to accomplish its mission.
"Our future is not a wind sprint, its a marathon," he said.
Tickets to the event are $100 and can be purchased online at www.501auctions.com/friendsofseymour or by contacting the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.
Platinum plus sponsorships for the event are available for those who give $10,000 or more. Platinum plus sponsors will receive 16 gala tickets at two reserved premium tables, invitations to informative and social functions with visiting Air Force dignitaries, one year of Military Affairs Committee membership dues, the quarterly newsletter and onstage and program recognition at the gala.
Those who give between $5,000 and $9,999, platinum sponsors, will receive eight gala tickets at one reserved table, invitations to informative and social functions with visiting Air Force dignitaries, one year of Military Affairs Committee membership dues, the quarterly newsletter and onstage and program recognition at the gala.
Gold sponsors giving between $2,500 and $4,999 will receive four tickets to the gala, invitations to informative and social functions with visiting Air Force dignitaries, one year of Military Affairs Committee membership dues, the quarterly newsletter and onstage and program recognition at the gala.
Silver sponsors donating between $1,000 and $2,499 will receive two tickets to the gala, invitations to informative and social functions with visiting Air Force dignitaries, one year of Military Affairs Committee membership dues, the quarterly newsletter and onstage and program recognition at the gala.
Patron sponsors giving between $500 and $999 and Friends level contributors giving up to $499 will receive program recognition at the gala and a quarterly newsletter.