The Sandhills Coalition for Human Care is inviting the public to attend the inaugural Voit Gilmore Day Friday.

The Coalition plans to make a "special announcement" during the celebration, which will be held at 11 a.m. on the site of the new Coalition building, which is on West Indiana Avenue.

When pressed for details about the announcement, Caroline Eddy, executive director of the Coalition, said, "I'd better not. Got to keep the excitement."

She did say that the announcement would have something to do with the new building. The Coalition began a campaign this summer to raise $600,000 to build the $450,000 building and establish a $150,000 endowment.

"We're real excited about the way the campaign to raise money for the new building is coming along," Eddy said.

The new building, which is just a short drive from the two on Pennsylvania Avenue, will take over as the client services center. Southern Pines is allowing the Coalition to continue to use the old client services building, and it will use it to expand its resale business.

"As you know, there are more and more people and more and more low income families," she said.

Gilmore was one of the most well-known residents of Moore County. He had been mayor of Southern Pines and a member of the council and was instrumental in integrating the town. He donated the land for Pinecrest High School. He also donated part of the land for the new Coalition building.

"Voit did so much from this community," Eddy said. "This is a way of honoring a citizen who did so much."

Gilmore's wife, Jody, and his son, Peter, will be attending the event.

Matthew Moriarty may be reached at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.