Local Extension Offices Collect Half Ton Of Peanut Butter For Needy
December 20, 2012
County Extension Offices in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties collected nearly a half ton of peanut butter during a recent “Take a bite out of Hunger” food drive.
The Escambia County Extension Office collected 336 jars of peanut butter weighing in at 430 pounds, and the Santa Rosa County County Extension Office collected 378 jars weighing 490.6 pounds.
During the peanut butter food drive campaign, Extension Office is 15 Northwest Florida counties collected a total of 2,039 jars of peanut butter weighting 2,843 pounds. In addition, the the Florida Peanut Producers Association donated a 1,400 jar pallet of peanut butter.
The peanut butter will be donated to local food pantries.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Byrneville Christmas Play
December 19, 2012
Students in grades K5-2nd at Byrneville Elementary School presented their Christmas program “Granny McBee’s Christmas Eve” at Northview High School Tuesday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos by Raja Atallah, click to enlarge.
Manna Hat Fetches Record $2,000
December 19, 2012
A new record was set during the seventh year of the Annual Manna Hat Auction by CatCountry 98.7. Last year the CatCountry 98.7 Manna Hat raised $1,676 but this year the Manna Hat auction collected $2,000. That will allow Manna to feed 66 local residents who need food.
John Cheney and his wife from Pensacola were the high bidders. He said, “as business owners, we felt like it was the right thing to do to help out with a very worthy
cause”.
Country artists like CMA Entertainer of the Year Blake Shelton and his wife, CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert, helped out by autographing the special hat that was put up for auction on the eBay this week.
Eric Church (CMA Album of the Year), a three time signer, said, “I’m honored help and be asked again”. One hundred percent of proceeds from the auction will be presented to Manna Food Pantries before Christmas.
Manna Food Pantries has seen a 60-percent increase in usage in the last two years. “Manna gives people Hope,” said Brent Lane from Cat Country 98.7.
Manna is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating hunger in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties of northwest Florida. Manna is nonsectarian, community focused, volunteer supported and committed to the philosophy, “waste not, want not”. Manna believes that every person has a right to live free from hunger and that every person is to be treated with respect and dignity.
Manna Food Pantries began serving the hungry on January 3, 1983, then known as Manna Food Bank. Since then Manna has served over half a million people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, from Century to Navarre.
CatCountry 98.7 is a family-owned radio station with a history of putting community service first. What started off as a way to do something fun, and do good for our community has really taken off.
“The artists all signed it enthusiastically,” said morning host Lane. Artists who signed the hat included Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Brantley Gilbert, Jana Kramer, Craig Morgan, Lee Brice, The Eli Young Band and Eric Church.
“CatCountry 98 7’s mission is to help our community in every way that we can. All the artists who were involved in this should be applauded for their contributions as well,” said Dave Huxeng, station owner.
Pictured: Brent Lane, DeDe Flounlacker (executive Director of Manna), Kim and John Cheney from Pensacola , presenting Manna a check for $2,000. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Cantonment Mill Gives Back To Neighbors In Need
December 18, 2012
The International Paper Pensacola Mill is once again spreading a little holiday help to its neighbors that live next to the Cantonment facility. Joe Mack, who works in the mill’s woodyard, spends every late December delivering frozen turkeys and gift certificates to members of the surrounding community who could use a little bit of help paying for Christmas dinner.
This year, Mack was armed with $750 in gift certificates and more than a twenty-five turkeys as he drove out of the mill’s Gate 5. Some of the donations are dropped off at the Council on Aging’s Cantonment location, which is about a mile from the mill, but Mack also delivers the gifts to homes of longtime residents he knows could use a little help. Turkeys and gift certificates are also distributed to approximately a dozen Cantonment families through the Health and Hope Clinic.
“The Pensacola Mill is a standing feature in Cantonment starting as the Florida Pulp and Paper Company in 1941,” said Janice Holmes, communications manager. “Cantonment has had to weather the changes in the economy just like every other community. We are humbled to be able to give back in this small way to those neighbors who have shown so much loyalty to the mill — many with generations of family members who have worked here.”
Each year, IP provides more than $10 million to support thousands of charitable organizations in the communities where their employees live and work. Company contributions and Foundation grants are a significant part of our giving strategy, as IP strives to be the best socially responsible corporate neighbor in the communities where employees live and work.
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013. The application deadline is January 11, 2013. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade
December 16, 2012
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America
December 16, 2012
More than 2,000 wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola on Satuday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national even “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. Northview High School students Alison Bardin and Ashton Gibbs had the honor of singing during the event.
Pictured: A wreath was placed at every grave at Barrancas National Cemetery Saturday as part of the “Wreaths Across America” event. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gates, Fountain To Wed
December 16, 2012
Chad and Alison Fournier of Atmore proudly announce the engagement of their daughter, Jordan Alexandria Gates, to Lee Brandon Fountain, also of Atmore.
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Billy and Linda Gates of Atmore and Roger and Debbie Boutwell, also of Atmore.
The prospective groom is the son of Dudley and Sheila Fountain of Atmore. He is the grandson of Myrtle Ellison and the late Earl Ellison of Clanton, Ala., and Vivian Fountain and the late Robert Fountain of Atmore.
Miss Gates is a 2008 Honors graduate of Escambia County High School and is currently enrolled as a full time student at the University of South Alabama pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy with a concentration in either Pediatrics or Athletics.
Mr. Fountain is a 2003 graduate of Escambia County High School and a 2007 graduate of Troy University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He hopes to pursue his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice in the Fall of 2013. He is presently employed with the Poarch Creek Indian Tribal Police Department as a Law Enforcement Officer.
The couple will exchange vows November 2, 2013 in Atmore.
The couple will reside in Daphne, Ala., until Miss Gates completes her education.
Pen Air FCU Contributes Toys to Toys for Tots to Help 7,500 Children
December 16, 2012
Pen Air Federal Credit Union teamed up with the U.S. Marine Corps and Department of Defense to provide toys to underprivileged children in the community for the holidays. Each Pen Air FCU branch served as a drop-off location for donations, accumulating toys and other donations to help make the holidays of 7,500 children a little bit brighter.
A team of local Marines collected the toys from the Pen Air FCU branch aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola recently. The toys, for children of all ages, will be taken to a warehouse to be separated by intended age group and gender. From there, they will be distributed in the community before Christmas.
“There has been a significant increase of families who applied to receive toys this year,” said Lt. Matt Nole of the Marine Corps who assisted in picking up the toys from Pen Air FCU. “Thankfully, the donations have also grown to meet these needs.”
Pictured: Pen Air FCU employees and Lt. Matt Nole pose with some of the toys donated to Toys for Tots through Pen Air branches. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pen Air FCU President and CEO, Stewart Ramsey, said, “I am filled with pride over the donations collected from our members and employees. I hope these toys will make this a very merry Christmas to many local families.”
Photos, Videos: Northview Christmas Variety Show
December 15, 2012
The Northview High School concert band, color guard, majorettes, dance team, guitar ensemble. theatre groups and glee club presented the NHS Christmas Variety Show Friday night at the school.
The program included Christmas performances from each group.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a video of the performance of “Little Drummer Boy”, click here.
For a video of the dance team performance, click here.
Pictured the NHS Christmas Variety Show held Friday night at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Byrneville Elementary Holds Annual Christmas Carnival
December 15, 2012
Byrneville Elementary School held its Christmas Carnival Friday night at the school.
The annual event included a host of games, including a ring toss, cake walk, football toss and more. The evening’s festivities ended with a gift basket auction, with proceeds going to benefit the school.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
