By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Ducky Birts Foundation will hold its 6th Annual Medallion Scholarship banquet at First District Plaza in University City this evening.

Donald “Ducky” Birts is a civil rights activist, business man and political leader. Born and raised in South Jersey and in Philadelphia, he has a soft spot for young people trying to make it.

“The only way we’re going to get anywhere is to help these kids by giving them love and support, so they can reach their potential,” Birts says.

Birts says he hopes to top last year’s goal of $100,000. He says the money will be used to fund 40 $1,000 scholarships at Cheyney and Lincoln Universities. The rest will go towards building a new learning center in North Philadelphia, where Birts hops to teach economics and government affairs.

“That building will have kids from the fourth, fifth and sixth graders.”

The banquet takes place at 38th and Market Street at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 each. For more information, call (215) 242-1220.