AUBURN - Before Wednesday night's kickoff gathering at Billy Dee's on Chapman Avenue, the Auburn/Cayuga Branch of the NAACP was 64 members strong, but after the evening was through, those numbers were a little larger and a little stronger.

As part of the kickoff, an informal membership drive was held.

“Every meeting we have membership is on the agenda,” said Eliezer Hernandez, chapter president. “It is always something we are trying to raise awareness about. We decided to do this just to try to make it something informal so people could come out and see what we are all about and we decided to do it here (Billy Dee's) because it is an African-American owned business and we want to promote and help the small businesses in our community as well as get people out here to see what the NAACP is about and to enjoy themselves and get involved.”

Before the open house, Hernandez said that he had already been approached by several people who were interested in becoming members.

“We need this,” Hernandez said. “We need people who are going to step up to the plate. I've been president for going on two years now and my goal here is to help take the organization up to where it should be.”

Among those coming out was Ski-Yaun Ware, a counselor at Auburn high School who recently relocated from Buffalo.

Ware said that Hernandez, a co-worker at the high school had approached him several times about joining the organization and Monday night just seemed like the perfect time.

“I've just gotten settled in,” Ware said. “This seemed like a good opportunity to get involved and help affect change.”

Coming from a larger city, like Buffalo, Ware said that while Auburn has different demographics, there is always room for improvement in the community.

“This is a good opportunity to affect change,” Ware said. “I just want to be able to help where I can. Being involved in education that is something that interests me and working with youth here in the area, that is a place that can always use a little extra help and I'm glad to be able to do what I can.”

Hernandez said that this year, the NAACP Auburn/Cayuga Branch is going to be taking greater steps to make its presence known in the community.

Efforts�such as literacy programs, meetings on issues like housing information, finances and healthcare are all areas the NAACP plans to tackle not only in meetings that are held at Booker T. Washington Center on a monthly basis, but also by going into the community and getting people more involved and aware.

Hernandez believes that these efforts are only strengthened with a greater involvement from the community-based membership.

“There is strength in numbers,” Hernandez said. “If you want to reach a politician you don't send one letter, you send thousands and thousands and it is the same here. Our goal is to reach the whole community, not just the African-American community, not just the Hispanic community, but the whole community of Auburn to help strengthen what we have here.”

For new member County Clerk Sue Dwyer, this is a message and goal that is incredibly important.

“I've always worked with youth and families in the community,” Dwyer said. “For me being a part of this fits in very well with my personal mission. I think this is an excellent organization that can help accomplish that and I'm glad I joined.”

To learn more

For more information in the Auburn/Cayuga branch of the NAACP call 253-5472 or e-mail unit2128@aol.com

Also visit the national site at www.naacp.org