Children experience the thrill of holiday giving through Regifting

December 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Children experienced the thrill of holiday giving during Saturday’s 5th annual Regifting Event.

Held at the county complex, kids ages 5 to 11 took advantage of the opportunity to shop for their parents at no cost. The gifts were then wrapped, tagged, and prepared for Christmas giving.

Donations are collected throughout the year for this event so that those who can’t afford to buy gifts can still share in the joy of giving by regifting something from the donations.

“We let kids come in and shop for their parents or caregivers. It’s not income based. It’s for anybody. They shop for free, wrap the presents, and fill out the card,” said Kim Walker, who organizes the annual event.

The children are then asked to prepare a blessing bag to be given to others.

“This year we made blessing bags for the homeless ministry called Compassionate Hands”. The bags included things like a blanket, socks, cup, toothbrush, and a toy. In the past we have done it for emergency foster care, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, residents at NHC, and the homeless shelter,” said Walker.

For their good deeds each of the children get to take home a goodie bag.

Walker said the hope is the children take home more than that. “We’re trying to share God’s love with kids to plant a seed so that no matter how old they are they always remember to help somebody else”.

The kids and other volunteers also decorated a quilt square. “After they decorate the quilt squares we put them together and donate the quilt to somebody who needs a blessing in the community,” said Walker.

December 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA), in partnership with local businesses and volunteers, will be preparing and delivering Christmas Eve Meals to the needy or underserved on Tuesday, December 24.

“We feel that this is just another way our local emergency service providers and our supporters can serve our community. If you or a family member would like a hot meal on Christmas Eve, please call one of the numbers listed below to be added to our delivery list. We will need your address, phone number, and number of persons in your household. The meals are scheduled to be delivered between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon,” says Association President Blake Cantrell.

DESA will accept names of persons requesting meal through Wednesday, December 18.

To get your name on the delivery list, call 615-597-7411 or 615-712-4286.

Additionally, if you want to support this community project by donating food items or volunteering your time to prepare meals and/or make deliveries, you can contact any of the phone numbers above.
A total of 562 food trays were prepared and delivered to 250 stops along the route by dozens of volunteers on Thanksgiving morning. Recipients received a meal of smoked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls along with a homemade dessert.

December 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Holiday lovers young and old by the hundreds gathered downtown Smithville Saturday evening for the sights and sounds of the annual parade followed by other activities, entertainment and special treats.

For the first time, the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square, usually held on separate days, were combined into one night of holiday fun with the parade kicking it all off just as the sun was starting to set.

Many parked along the route to see the show as the parade motored from Smithville Elementary School down Congress Boulevard before turning onto Don Cantrell Street by City Hall into the Public Square. Others gathered downtown to get a closer look as the parade passed by and to scoop up some candy tossed to them by Santa and other participants.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel won 1st place for their float entry. Second place went to First Bank and Wilson Bank & Trust took 3rd place. The DeKalb Junior Pro Football Team won the Spirit Award presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.

The parade was sponsored by the Smithville Fire Department.

The Alexandria Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 15 starting at 2 p.m. The line-up begins at 1 p.m. on West Main Street. To enter contact the Alexandria City Hall to fill out an entry form. Call 615-529-2171 for more information.

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