• By the Advocate Editorial Board
• Originally published August 3, 2009 at 5:27 p.m., updated August 3, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

• How to help

  Donations are accepted. Phone Wilma M. Edwards at 361-576-4748.

The George Washington Carver Civic Center was founded by educator C.A. Dudley, for whom Dudley school is named, in the mid 1940s. Today, one of the center's devout supporters - Wilma Mumphord Edwards - continues to push for its rebirth. Through the years, the center has had hard luck.

Edwards' son, Lawrence Edwards "Victoria" Thomas, was a mover and shaker who mapped out the center's activities.

The children loved him, and he loved them, always wanting to provide a place where they wouldn't get into trouble and always providing music for their entertainment.

But Thomas died of a kidney disease in 1986.

The center grew quiet and unused for years. With that time, the center deteriorated into an unsafe place and was officially closed in 1993.

Edwards spearheaded a drive to renovate and start the center up again.

And in June 1997, it reopened with the help of numerous volunteers and donors.

Then, another hurdle presented itself: fire.

The center tragically burned to the ground in 2003.

Once again, Edwards is exerting time and effort to eventually rebuild the center so that events such as weddings, holiday celebrations and recreational activities can be provided to the children.

The Carver Civic Center is historic as well as a place for the community's use.

We should support and help Edwards any way we can to help her efforts to get the center rebuilt.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

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