20,000 Kids Around The World To Receive Christmas Gifts From Escambia Area
December 21, 2011
Over 20,000 children around the world will receive a small box of hope this Christmas, thanks to dozens of Escambia area churches.
The churches and individuals donated a total of 20,057 simple, gift-filled shoe boxes as part of the 17th year of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. The First Baptist Church of Bratt served as an official “relay center” for North Escambia while also accepting boxes from Escambia County, Ala.
The Christmas boxes collected at FBC Bratt will be delivered to children in Panama, Ukraine, Macedonia, Bahamas, Uganda, Lebanon, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Seychelles, Togo, Benin, Belize, Ecuador and Madagascar.
“It is so exciting,” student Pastor Tim Hawsey, who coordinated the program at First Baptist Bratt, said. “Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has mission’s opportunities all over the world. This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise.”
While the collection effort was a success this year, Hawsey hopes to see an increase next year.
“Maybe next year we can double our intake because even with the millions of boxes turned in nationwide, there will still be many children that will not get a box because of the vast number of needy children in the world,” he said.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Country Christmas: Hay Bales Used To Create Santa, Snowman
December 20, 2011
North Escambia residents have turned to round hay bales to create a couple of interesting Christmas displays.
At the Miller home near Walnut Hill, hay bales have been used to create Frosty the Snowman — complete with a corncob pipe. The display is located in the 3000 block of Highway 97, just north of Hendricks Lane.
And at the Century Branch Library, a hay bale Santa uses plenty of locally grown cotton to create the beard for a huge Santa Claus.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Christmas Gift: Teen With Leukemia Uses Her One Wish To Help Others
December 19, 2011
Leukemia patient Sarah Kelly, an Escambia County teen, was recently granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Rather than choose most anything she wanted as a wish for herself, she decided to go on a shopping spree and purchase items needed for the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola.
Sarah said she understands what children and families like her own go through first hand, and she was hoping to bring some happiness to those in need this Christmas season.
Sunday, Sarah began her day at her favorite restaurant — Carrabba’s Italian Grill. She then made her way to the Wal-Mart on Creighton Boulevard who provided a $100 gift card to help out with her purchases. She also visited the Lowe’s on Airport Boulevard where she received additional discounts and her very own check-out lane.
Santa Trades Sleigh For Fire Truck To Visit McDavid Area Children
December 18, 2011
Santa Claus traded in his sleigh Saturday for a big red fire truck as he visited boys and girls across the McDavid Fire Department district. The Jolly Old Elf stopped at children’s homes, visiting with children and listening carefully to those last minute Christmas wishes.
The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department has provided the Santa escorts for about 20 years.
Pictured above and below: Santa Claus visited with children around McDavid Saturday thanks to the McDavid Fire Department. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos by Mandi Kinley, click to enlarge.
Oh Holy Night: Byrneville Church Displays Manger Scene
December 18, 2011
The annual manger scene display at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God in Byrneville is available for viewing nightly. The church is located at 2311 Highway 4A, just south of Highway 168. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Do you have great Christmas light display photos? Email news@northescambia.com to share.
Walnut Hill Church Steps Back For Victorian Inspired Christmas Banquet
December 18, 2011
The ladies of Walnut Hill Baptist Church recently took a step back in time during a Victorian-inspired Christmas banquet.
For the catered banquet, church members decorated tables to match the theme, and guest speaker Cindy Still related the many ways the Victorians celebrated Christmas. Still said many modern day Christmas traditions are from the Victorian era — including caroling, Christmas cards and the Christmas tree.
Walnut Hill Baptist Church members that participated in table decorating for the event were Somer Bridges, Karla Bryan, Kathy Faircloth, Paula Ferguson, Pam Gabriel, Ramona Gay, Katie Godwin, Luanne Henderson, Katlyn Jacobson and Tammy Wilson.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Do you have news or photos to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top: Paula Ferguson with her Victorian-inspired table decorations during a recent banquet at Walnut Hill Baptist Church. Pictured below: Banquet attendees learned about Victorian Christmas traditions. Photos submitted by Ramona Gay and Marilyn Ward for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trent Richardson Checks Out All-Star Game, Meets Locals
December 17, 2011
Alabama Crimson Tide running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson attended the Subway High School All-Star Football Game at Woodham Middle School Friday night. Richardson, pictured top center, took the time to pose for photos with the Northview High School cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Students Receive Free Bikes, Helmets
December 17, 2011
Thirty students at Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment received new bicycles and helmets from Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Pictured: Jim Allen Elementary School third grader Riley Williamson could not wait to get home Friday afternoon to enjoy her new bicycle compliments of Academy Sports and Outdoors. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manna Hat Auction Sets New Record
December 16, 2011
The sixth year of the annual Manna Hat Auction from Cat Country 98.7 set a new record Friday morning at $1,676, up from $1,250 last year.
All of the proceeds will be presented to the food bank before Christmas. That, according to the radio station, will allow Manna Food Pantries to feed 57 area residents for five days.
High bidder was Larry Clemons of Pace. He said “the fact that Manna is able to help of some folks who can’t eat” is the reason he continued to drive for the winning bid.
Country artists like CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert helped out by autographing the special hat that was sold on eBay.
ACA Artist of the Decade Toby Keith, a second time signer, said “it is awesome to be able to help.”
“This year the need is particularly great,” Brent Lane said about the need at Manna Food Pantries. “There has been an increase of 24 percent in services.”
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Molino Park Presents Jingle Bell Jukebox
December 16, 2011
The second graders at Molino Park Elementary School present “Jingle Bell Jukebox” twice on Thursday — once in the afternoon for the entire school and again in the evening for parents.
For a Northescambia.com photo gallery from the musical, click here.
Picture: Molino Park Elementary School second graders perform “Jingle Bell Jukebox” Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
