History

In the early 1980s Carrie C. Shoffner brought together a circle of like-minded women – women who realized the need to foster greater cultural appreciation and to encourage social and civic awareness in this area. Their goal was to organize an interest group and ultimately to establish a chapter of the Links, Incorporated.

The interest group, “The Northeastern North Carolina Elites”, worked for two years sponsoring programs and projects in their communities. Because of the great distance which the area covered, working together on projects enabled the group to meld into a “true” organization of friends. Thus, The Lake Gaston Area Chapter was established and was chartered May 22, 1982. There were twenty-two charter members.

True to its purpose the chapter has presented forums and conducted informative workshops targeting youth and adults. It has promoted civic, cultural, educational, and health activities in order to improve the quality of life for the citizens of this area.

In recent years, The Lake Gaston Area Chapter has sponsored Annual Walk-a-Thons, recognized community leaders, and supported the following:

• The Women’s Wing Organization
• The Halifax Community College Breast Cancer Awareness Program
• The PRAISE Program, First Baptist Church, Murfreesboro
• The Mission Trip, First Baptist Church, Enfield
• The Spelling Bee, Warren Education Fund.

In 2011 the chapter formed a partnership with the Halifax County Arts Council to present the photography of Daphne Maxwell Reid and in 2012 to host a book signing by author Mary Drew. The chapter also formed a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Roanoke Rapids. During the fall of 2012 members of the Services to Youth Facet volunteered to tutor at risk children in grades five through eight. The Lake Gaston Area Chapter is committed to the implementation of the Signature Programs of the Links, Incorporated.