Christmas – a time for giving
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- Published on Saturday, 31 December 2011 22:07
- Written by Special to Alachua County Today
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Alachua’s Hathcock Community Center was a hub of activity last week as volunteers gathered donated food items for Christmas baskets for area families.
Groups offering donations and support included Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7035, Santa Fe Kiwanis Club, Gainesville Harvest, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, USDA, Hitchcock’s Markets of Alachua, Publix of Gainesville, Pizza Hut of Alachua and North Florida Regional Hospital as well as donations from area residents.
Add a comment Add a commentScouts share holiday gifts and greetings at Ronald McDonald House
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- Published on Monday, 26 December 2011 15:46
- Written by Special to Alachua County Today
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Front Row: Shelly Lewis, Assitant Den Leader; Middle Row L-R: Oliver Scott, Garrett Betke, Nathan Wells, Xavier Berry, Conner Lewis; Christian Lewis, Nick Sanders, Blake Sanders; Back Row L-R: Ron Lewis, Den Leader, Fran Klinger, Ronald McDonald House night manger
The WeBeLoS traveled to the Gainesville Ronald McDonald House on Dec. 15 to meet Fran Klinger, night manager, presenting the pull tabs and taking a tour of the facility. Klinger provided a detailed description of the facility and how the pull tabs can help the Ronald McDonald House.
The pull tabs are recycled at a local metal scrap collector and the proceeds from the aluminum goes to help fund some of the daily living expenses of families living in the Ronald McDonald House. The families staying at the Ronald McDonald House are provided one of the facility’s 31 rooms so they can be near a child that is hospitalized at the University of Florida Shands Hospital or receiving medical treatment within the Gainesville community.
The WeBeLoS also created handmade holiday greetings cards and donated holiday candy for the youngsters and families to enjoy. The WeBeLoS are still collecting empty pull tab boxes to continue ongoing efforts in supporting the Ronald McDonald House.
Although the house carries the name of Ronald McDonald, and features a familiar Ronald McDonald statue from the McDonald restaurant chain, only approximately 10 percent of the operating cost come from the McDonalds Corporation. The remainder of the proceeds comes from community support and donations, and the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville is always looking for community support in the form of donations and volunteers.
Add a comment Add a commentBenjamin Sollenberger honored by Lions Club
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- Published on Sunday, 04 December 2011 03:48
- Written by Special to Alachua County Today
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Lions Club Secretary AnnaMarie Martin; Andrea, Benjamin and Lynn Sollenberger; Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Leo Lowe; Lions Club President Tony Stefanowicz.
ALACHUA – Benjamin Sollenberger was recently named Student of the Quarter by Santa Fe High School.
Benjamin and his parents were dinner guests at the Turkey Creek Lions Club meeting at Brown’s Country Buffet in Alachua.
Sollenberger was presented a monetary gift for furthering his education and a Certificate of Achievement for fulfilling the four Lions’ Pillars: Community Service, Academic Performance, Citizenship and Behavior..
Guest Speaker for the evening was Leo Lowe of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Unit.
Add a comment Add a commentArea leaders thank departing librarian Caryl McKeller
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- Published on Saturday, 17 December 2011 20:50
- Written by Special to Alachua County Today
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ALACHUA – Alachua business leaders, city officials and community members joined together Dec. 9 in thanking and honoring Caryl McKeller, the longtime head librarian at the Alachua Branch Library. After years in Alachua, McKellar is transferring to the main library on East University Avenue in Gainesville.
During a luncheon held by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce on Friday at Conestogas Restaurant, McKellar was thanked by everyone from retired school principals and teachers to area business owners and Mayor Gib Coerper.
On behalf of the Chamber, President Jim Brandenburg presented McKellar with a plaque honoring her years of service and a token of appreciation from the Alachua community.
Several in attendance noted that McKellar became particularly involved in the community and went well beyond her job duties as the local librarian. For several years, she has also actively served on the board of directors for the Alachua Chamber of Commerce.
Add a comment Add a commentBenjamin Sollenberger honored by Lions Club
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 04 December 2011 03:48
- Written by Special to Alachua County Today
- Hits: 6196
Lions Club Secretary AnnaMarie Martin; Andrea, Benjamin and Lynn Sollenberger; Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Leo Lowe; Lions Club President Tony Stefanowicz.
ALACHUA – Benjamin Sollenberger was recently named Student of the Quarter by Santa Fe High School.
Benjamin and his parents were dinner guests at the Turkey Creek Lions Club meeting at Brown’s Country Buffet in Alachua.
Sollenberger was presented a monetary gift for furthering his education and a Certificate of Achievement for fulfilling the four Lions’ Pillars: Community Service, Academic Performance, Citizenship and Behavior..
Guest Speaker for the evening was Leo Lowe of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Unit.
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