Press Release: Lumbee River EMC Gives Donation to Lumbee Tribe and Makes Commitment to Partner
See attached photos and full press release For Immediate Release Lumbee River EMC Gives Donation to Lumbee Tribe of N.C. and Makes Commitment as Community Partner Pembroke, NC (February 22, 2023) - On Wednesday, Rory Eddings, Lumbee River Electric Membership Cooperation Chairman of the Board, presented a $40,000 check to Lumbee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery for upgrades at the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center. The presentation is the first installment as LREMC commits $200,000 to the Lumbee Tribe over the next five years. Eddings said the co-op is glad to partner with the Lumbee Tribe to do things that will benefit our community. "Rebuilding the Cultural Center is important, because it is an asset to our communities and it is going to make a difference,” said Eddings. “We are looking forward to the future, working together and we are excited about this relationship with the tribe.” Lumbee Tribal Chairman Lowery thanked Eddings and the administration for the gift. Lowery said the Lumbee Tribe is glad to partner with LREMC. "They are a good partner to us and I’m very happy that they have decided to invest in the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center and invest in our people,” said Lowery. “I look forward to future collaborative efforts.” For Jon T. Locklear, President and CEO of LREMC, the presentation was very significant and personal because he worked his first job at 14-years-old at the Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center. Locklear cut grass, did odd jobs and was a part of a clean-up crew at the Strike at the Wind! Outdoor Drama. "It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of renovating something that means so much to our communities and has for so many years,” said Locklear. “We hope this collaboration will continue and we will be able to invest and bring something to our communities that is well needed, and that will last for generations.” The Lumbee Tribe Cultural Center welcomed more than 25,000 guests in 2022. The center began undergoing a facelift and renovations in 2016. The first phase updated the pool, renovated restrooms, and began the amphitheater upgrades. The next phase will include amphitheater stadium seats, arbor upgrades, volleyball and full-court basketball courts, amphitheater stage upgrades, concession upgrades and much more.
Photo - L-R- Sharon Hunt - Speaker, Lumbee Tribal Council, John L. Lowery - Lumbee Tribal Chairman, Rory Eddings - Lumbee River EMC Chairman of the Board, Tony Hunt - LREMC Board Member and Jon T. Locklear, LREMC President and CEO.
