There’s a small increase in rain chances for the weekend, but there is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy some activities in Columbus. Volunteer at Shizzy’s, go play and worship at a VBS, and head to Lake Waccamaw on Sunday for a lakeside worship service. As always, be sure log onto www.columbuscountynews.com for absolutely free to catch up on any news you’ve missed this week. Get your news delivered every morning to your inbox before your coffee ever hits your cup by signing up for our daily newsletter. 
Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue in Fair Bluff will be holding two volunteer workdays this month on July 15 and 29 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. You must be 18 years old or older to use tools and climb ladders. If you would like to volunteer at Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue, find out more information, make a donation, or become a sponsor, you can contact Rhonda Billeaud, co-chairman for Shizzy’s, by phone at 910.840.1886. You can also send her an email at rhondabilleaud@shizzyswildcatrescue.org. The full summer schedule for Shizzy’s can be found here.
The Farmers Union community food bank will be open on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. for those in need. The bank is located at 903 Farmers Union Road in Clarkton in the fellowship hall of Sandy Plain Missionary Baptist Church.
The Lakeside Ministry will run every Sunday through Labor Day at 9 a.m. at the Lake Waccamaw campground pavilion. This Sunday, July 16, the speaker will be Ben Worthington with singing by Melissa Rogers.
Domino’s Pizza in Whiteville will be donating 20 percent of their total daily sales to Jeff Wright and family on Sunday, July 16. Wright is the owner of Tint Wizards and a Christian leader in the Whiteville community that has been battling a rare form of cancer. Domino’s is located at 1629 South Madison Street.
McMullen House for Heroes is looking for a few good faith-filled men and women to join their volunteer team. Those who have a love for veterans, the military, and first responders are invited to contact Chaplain Marcia DeRush at 910.317.0233. The McMullen House of Heroes located at 136 MaMac Road in Whiteville.
Many Columbus County churches will be having Vacation Bible School during the months of July and August. There are many opportunities for children and their families to come out and join in on the fun and fellowship. If you would like your church added to the list, please send an email to crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news. Visit VBS guide for summer 2023 to see local churches and their VBS dates.
New Breed Revival, based out of Tampa, Fla., is currently holding their tent ministry right here in Columbus County. Kevin and Brittney Chamberliss have been in faith and worship careers for 11 years, and over the last five years, they have devoted their full time and attention to spreading the Gospel. They started their profession in Virginia, but they relocated to Tampa in 2017. The couple are both graduates of River University and ordained ministers, and they are a part of the traveling ministry. ‘Miracles Under the Tent’ will run through July 19 at 2630 Dock Road in Whiteville. Faith clinics will be held daily at 9 a.m. with evening services at 6:30 p.m. each night. For more information about the ministry, visit www.newbreedrevival.com. The Chamberlisses can also be contacted through the website.
The Columbus Career and College Academy at Southeastern Community College will be holding their freshmen picnic on Thursday, July 20, from 5-7 p.m. During the event, faculty and student ambassadors will spend time introducing high school and college staff, introduce the kids to Schoology, hand out chrome books, and offer freshmen the chance to purchase CCCA merchandise and apparel. SCC is located at 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville.
The Change Brings Choices will their sixth annual backpack drive on Saturday, July 29, from 12-3 p.m. at 137 Jenkins Road in Clarkton. All ages are welcome to enjoy bouncy house water slides, food, music, and a school supplies giveaway. Senior citizen plates will also be available for pick up at the event. If you have any questions, contact Glenwood Davis at 910.840.1208.
The H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation will also be having their back to school supply drive on July 29. The organization will be set up at 116 Miller Street in Chadbourn from 3-5 p.m. Contact Larry Everette Jr at 910.733.3375 for more information.
Brown Street Station in Chadbourn will also be open every second Saturday of the month for the Main Street Market. Live entertainment and vendors will be there from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the public to enjoy. The next selling day will be Aug. 12. The venue is located at 202 North Brown Street. For more information about vendors opportunities, call 910.477.8080.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services will be back once again this summer for their annual Family Fur Day. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Columbus County Fairgrounds. This is the facility’s second year hosting the celebration. APS will not be hosting a rabies vaccination clinic at Family Fur Day this time, but instead, they will be focusing on getting the animals currently housed at the shelter adopted. Adoption fees will be half price at the event. Dog adoptions will be $67.50, and the fees for a cat will be $37.50. The price includes vaccines, dewormer, and a spay/neuter voucher.
Families and their pets are invited to come out and enjoy other activities during the outing. Bouncy houses, food trucks, and games will be set up and animals will be available for meet and greets while searching for their furever homes. For more information about Family Fur Day, call APS at 910.641.3945 or stop by the facility Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Columbus County Fairgrounds can be found at 866 Prison Camp Road in Whiteville.
A favorite weekend pastime is coming to Lake Waccamaw in a very big way. Ginger Littrell, wife of town commissioner Terry Littrell, has helped to organize a town wide community yard sale on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 4. The treasure hunt will begin at 8 a.m., and over 100 homes in Lake Waccamaw including the Wooded Acres community will be participating. If you are a Lake Waccamaw resident who would like to participate in the event and you need more information, please contact Ginger Dortmund Littrell via Facebook Messenger. The yard sale will begin at 8 a.m. and will continue until sold out or until sellers are worn out.
The Madison Street Music Festival has been rescheduled to Sept. 30. The event was canceled previously due to inclement weather. The price is $20 per ticket, and you can purchase yours at Whiteville City Hall, at the gate the day of the show, or online at www.whitevillenc.gov/madison-street-music-festival. Bring your dancing shoes and your cooler, and lawn chair to 901 South Madison Street. No glass bottles will be permitted at the festival.
The GOOD NEWS is featured every Saturday morning on WTXY Kool 103.9 FM, and throughout the week under the GOOD NEWS tab at columbuscountynews.com. Email crystalfaircloth@columbuscounty.news with your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.
