New London — The New London branch of the NAACP will honor several residents with Lifetime Achievement Awards on Thursday during its annual Freedom Fund Dinner, the civil rights organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The theme of the dinner, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Port 'N Starboard Restaurant at Ocean Beach Park, is “Defeat Hate - Vote,” which New London NAACP President Jean Jordan said represents the goals and initiatives of NAACP branches on a local, state and national level.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipients will include Spencer Lancaster, John Harris, the Rev. Herman Pollard and Albert Garvin. An Education Award will be presented to the Hempsted Houses. Shirley Gillis, a past president of the New London NAACP, a former New London teacher and a former state teacher of the year, will receive the President’s Award.

The keynote speaker for the event is Carleton J. Giles, the chairman of the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles, who determines both the parole eligibility of inmates and which ex-offenders have earned the right to be legally forgiven for their past actions.

The NAACP also plans to recognize several formerly incarcerated individuals living in New London County who have given back in some way to their communities.

“We wanted to recognize people who have made an impact,” said Tamara Lanier, a retired state Adult Probation employee, vice president of the New London NAACP and the criminal justice chairwoman of the state NAACP.

Lanier said there are people who have come out of prison to lead successful and crime-free lives while making contributions to society that could encourage others to do the same.

“These people have not only defied the odds and re-entered the community, but given back and continue to give back with little resources,” Lanier said. “They’re an inspiration. They are really making life impacts. These are the kinds of people we want to celebrate. When we lift these people up it encourages others and shows it can be done.”

The cost of the dinner reservation is $65 per person or $600 per table. No tickets will be sold at the door. Checks should be made payable to the New London NAACP and mailed to: New London NAACP, PO Box 987, New London, CT, 06320.

Anyone with questions is asked to call (860) 439-1423.