There is lots of giving going on in Columbus County this month. Residents and businesses alike are opening their hearts and their pockets to take care of those in need this holiday season.
In a partnership with Jaycees and Kiwanis of Elizabethtown, Leinwands Clothing store provided wonderful and needed outfits for residents of Boys and Girls Homes. This has become an annual event. Ricky Leinwands is the owner of the store.
Columbus County Fire and Rescue Association will be hosting a Boston Butt sale to raise money Lake Waccamaw Firefighter David Vela and his family. The Vela’s lost everything in a house fire last week. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased by Dec. 10. Pick up will be on Dec. 23 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at 205 Lee Avenue in Whiteville. For tickets, call Chase Lancaster at 910.207.3333 or Shannon Blackman at 910.840.4835.
Did you know that Families First helps clients with Christmas presents? If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for a family in need this holiday season, please call 910.642.5996. Families First is an organization committed to serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Columbus and Bladen counties. The organization would also like to thank Grace Episcopal Church for their generous donation to clients and their families this year.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is now taking applications for six law enforcement positions and five detention officer positions. You can apply online or in person, and you must be Basic Law Enforcement Certified. Starting pay for LEOs is $39,553.94, and starting pay for COs is $34,532.23. Benefits include paid time off, paid vacation, in house training, retirement benefits and more. Pay increases are offered for experience. Visit the website at www.columbussheriff.com.
Cookie O’ Kane with the First Presbyterian Church of Whiteville presented First Sergeant DiCicco and the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office with handmade dolls this week. The dolls, knitted by the Chicks with Sticks group, will be placed in patrol vehicles and given to children to comfort them during stressful situations.
Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue will need volunteers Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Fair Bluff Big Cat Sanctuary to complete installation of the perimeter fencing and remaining construction for the first 7 acres of the facility. If you would like to help, please contact Rhonda Burney Billeaud at 910.840.1886 or via Facebook.
Also, in Fair Bluff on Saturday, the town will be having their annual Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. Call 910.649.7099.
The Veteran’s Memorial Park is asking that as you shop on Amazon this year for Christmas, please consider choosing the organization as your charity on the Amazon Smiles tab. Amazon will donate .05% of every purchase you make to the charity of your choice at no cost to you.
Tabor City’s first annual cookie crawl will take place from Dec. 10-11 for those who have purchased tickets. A cookie crawl is a family-friendly community event where you pay a small ticket fee, receive an empty box, and then go to local businesses and fill the box with cookies as you shop
Also, on Dec. 11 in Tabor City, if you have a boat you want to decorate and show off for the holidays, then this your chance. The Christmas on the Lake flotilla will begin at 6 p.m. at Lake Tabor. There is no cost to participate.
While you’re waiting for the boats, bring the kids to decorate cookies. The cost is $4. The little ones will also have the opportunity to meet Santa, Cindy Lou Who, and the Grinch. Coffee, hot chocolate, and food will be available for purchase by the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce. For information about any of the events or to register, please contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 910.377.3012.
Congratulations to the winners of the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina’s “Cover Your Christmas” Raffle. The organization also sends their thanks to all the civic clubs for contributing the prizes this year.
The first-place winner with $1,055 worth of gift cards is A. Clark. Second place goes to J. Potter with $505 in gift cards.
The Lake Waccamaw Depot will be hosting an acoustic jam session on Saturday morning, Dec. 11 from 9:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Everyone is invited to come out and listen. The depot is located at 205 Flemington Drive in Lake Waccamaw.
The depot will also host Dr. James Parnell on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3:00 p.m. He is the co-author of “Attracting Birds in the Carolinas” – Creating Bird-Friendly Habitats from the Mountains to the Coast. Parnell will be giving an informative PowerPoint presentation about the book’s content, and he will have copies on hand to sign for the public.
New Life Community Church will be having their annual Christmas play on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. The play is entitled “From the Manager to the Cross.” The church is located at 107 Maultsby Street in Whiteville.
Southeastern Community College will be presenting Movie Night on the Lawn on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. Bring your chairs, blankets, hats, and warm coats and wrap up as The Polar Express plays on the big screen. The first 50 attendees will receive a free drink courtesy of Barefoot Brew Shop of Elizabethtown. Delicious food and hot drinks will also be available for purchase from their coffee wagon. The college will also have refreshments available for the public to buy.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a public discussion of violence affecting our youth on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at Southeastern Community College in the auditorium. Organizations participating in the discussion include law enforcement, educators, judicial members, local government staff, and religious leaders. Admission is free.
The Columbus County Public Housing Agency will be hosting a Landlord Fair on Dec. 16 from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. The event is the first of its kind in Columbus County. It is to show appreciation to current and potentially new property owners. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the voucher assistance program, and inquiries are encouraged about the new landlord incentive. A light meal will be provided. The fair will be held at the Columbus County Public Utilities Office located at 612 North Madison Street in Whiteville.
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