7th Annual 1st Lady of Columbus Charity Luncheon to Honor Community Leaders

Jekalyn Carr to headline Sept. 26 event benefiting families and individuals across the Tri-City area

Feeding Accepting Inspiring the Hurting Inc. will host its seventh annual 1st Lady of Columbus Charity Luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center, continuing the nonprofit organization's mission of providing assistance to individuals and families throughout the Tri-City area.

The luncheon, honoring First Lady of Columbus Karon Henderson, will begin at 11 a.m. at the convention center, 801 Front Ave. This year's theme is "Your Winning Season."

Special guest speaker Jekalyn Carr, an award-winning gospel recording artist, author, entrepreneur and inspirational speaker, will headline the event.

The organization will also recognize longtime Georgia state Sen. Ed Harbison and retired educators and basketball coaches Carolyn and Bobby Wright for their service and contributions.

Harbison has represented Georgia's 15th Senate District since 1993 and has held several leadership positions during his tenure in the General Assembly. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Harbison is also a Purple Heart recipient.

Carolyn and Bobby Wright, of Fortson, are retired educators and coaches who spent their careers with Phenix City Schools in Alabama. With a combined 1,162 victories, the couple is recognized as the winningest husband-and-wife basketball coaching tandem in Alabama history. They became the second husband-and-wife duo to be inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Feeding Accepting Inspiring the Hurting Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, uses proceeds and community support generated through the luncheon to assist residents facing financial and personal hardships.

At the 2025 1st Lady of Columbus Charity Luncheon, the organization donated $15,000 to support children experiencing homelessness in the Muscogee County School District. The nonprofit has also assisted area residents with utility bills, medication, food and clothing while providing financial support to other organizations serving people in need.

In 2026, the organization plans to broaden its community outreach by adding three areas of focus: first responders experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, veterans experiencing PTSD and children diagnosed with autism.

Organizers said sponsorships and donations will play an important role in expanding those services and allowing the organization to reach more families throughout the region.

Those interested in sponsoring the luncheon are asked to submit the sponsorship form and payment by Sept. 6 to Feeding Accepting Inspiring the Hurting Inc., 3422 Marriott Drive, Columbus, GA 31907.

Tickets are available for the Sept. 26 luncheon. Additional information about tickets, sponsorship opportunities and donations is available through Feeding Accepting Inspiring the Hurting Inc.