Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy rejoins the Lenoir Community College Foundation this year as a celebrity dealer at Casino Night on January 31 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the Lenoir County Shrine Club. Tables open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. Proceeds from the event benefit the LCC scholarship program.

Hardy said he loved supporting students at Lenoir Community College and he also loves being with the community for an enjoyable evening.  

Born and raised in Kinston, Hardy has close ties to LCC as a former student of the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program. As the current Police Sargent at UNC Lenoir Healthcare in Kinston, he is using what he learned from the LCC BLET Program and he says that LCC did a fantastic job preparing him for his career.

Since Mayor Hardy has been elected to office, he has been appointed to the North Carolina Global Transpark Authority Board of Directors, to serve with an elite team of state and local government personnel; presently serves as Vice Chairman of the North Carolina Mayors Association Board of Directors with the North Carolina League of Municipalities; he is a member of the National League of Cities Executive Board of Directors; appointed to the North Carolina Mayors Association Board of Directors; serves as a Local Government Federal Credit Union Advisory Board Member; and serves as 2nd Vice President of the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union Advisory Committee; all to help lead and advocate for cities across the state of North Carolina.

Mayor Hardy has recently been appointed to the National League of Cities Federal Advocacy Public Safety and Crime Prevention Board and the Small Cities Council Board by Mayor Karen Wilson, President of the National League of Cities. Mayor Hardy has the opportunity to advocate for cities and towns across the United States of America with such appointments.

He proudly exhibits his love for the community he serves. He is dedicated to leading Kinston as a competent administrator and coordinator of varying activities that affect not only Kinston, but also cities and towns throughout eastern North Carolina. 

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available and are for purchase online at www.lenoircc.edu/casino or by contacting the Development Coordinator in the LCC Foundation office at 252-233-6843.