Fill a Trailer with toys on Saturday
Wakulla Giving Hands is gearing up to spread Christmas cheer across Wakulla County with two holiday events that bring families together, support children, and help local families have a brighter holiday season.
With help from generous community members, local businesses, volunteers, and donors, the organization will host a toy drive on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Crawfordville for its 4th Annual Free Christmas Wishes Come True on Saturday, Dec. 12 in Sopchoppy.
FILL THE GRINCH’S ENCLOSED TRAILER WITH CHILDREN’S TOYS
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Southern Pipe & Supply, 2591 Crawfordville Highway, Crawfordville.
The goal is simple: fill an enclosed trailer with brand-new toys so children across Wakulla County wake up to smiles on Christmas morning. Community members are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Monetary donations are also welcome and will help Wakulla Giving Hands buy additional toys and supplies.
As a thank-you, donors who bring a new toy will receive a free pulled pork sandwich with all the fixings, while supplies last. The Grinch will also make an appearance, so families are invited to come out, enjoy some holiday fun, and help fill the trailer.
Toy and monetary donations for the drive will be accepted through Nov. 22. Monetary donations can be made securely online at zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/grinchs-trailer-of-toys
Marcia Mathis
Historical program set for Nov. 10
Editor, The Sun:
The Wakulla County Historical Society invites everyone to attend our Second Tuesday History Talk on Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. It will be held at the new Wakulla County Public Library, 296 Shadeville Road, Crawfordville. The featured speaker is Randy Smith who will talk about his new book “Battle and Battle Dressing: The World War II Letters from Twins in the Medical Service.”
The book collects the letters that Glenn and Claire Smith wrote to their family before, during, and after World War II. Glen would join the Navy before Pearl Harbor, becoming a Pharmacist Mate. He signed up for “Fleet Marine Duty” and landed with the First Marine Division on two different assaults in the Pacific. Claire would follow in the family business and become a nurse in 1942. She then joined the Army; her training started here in North Florida, continued through the Desert Training Center, and finally South Carolina. In 1945, her unit was mobilized and sent to the European Theater to take part in the final fighting and German surrender. They kept their parents informed with a rich set of letters, which couldn’t talk about military maneuver, but could speak volumes about life after the Depression and the mobilization for war.
They were born as twins in Clearwater and grew up in Dunedin, but both would have deep connections to North Florida. Claire would begin her Army service at Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle, and Glenn would settle in Crawfordville, marry a schoolteacher, and raise a family.
The author, Randy Smith, grew up in Crawfordville where his working career began with assembling his mother’s Magnolia Monthly magazine for 3 cents a copy, including stapling. He could also be found behind the counter at Wakulla Pharmacy, the other family business, outside of school hours.
Poker Run for Jubel is Saturday
Editor, The Sun:
Mark your calendar for the Wakulla Free Riders’ 8th Annual Memorial Poker Run for Jubel, “Remembering Jubel, Run for Hospice” on Saturday, Nov. 7 (new date). All proceeds from the event will be donated to Big Bend Hospice of Wakulla County. This event is sponsored by Wakulla Free Riders, in memory of Jubel Bissonnette.
The Wakulla Free Riders, Jubel’s wife Sandy, dedicated volunteers, and local businesses are honored to raise money for Big Bend Hospice of Wakulla County in memory of their friend and fellow Free Rider, Jubel. Together, the Free Riders and the community hope to surpass last year’s proceeds and provide even greater support for the compassionate care Hospice provides to local patients and families.
“We are incredibly grateful for Wakulla Free Riders’ continued support of Big Bend Hospice over the past 7 years. Their generosity from the Annual Memorial Poker Run for Jubel has made a lasting difference for patients and families we serve in Wakulla County. “- Dena Hendrix, Big Bend Hospice Foundations President
A glance at the day: the first bike leaves Dux in Crawfordville at 11:30 a.m., followed by stops at Salty Donkey in Panacea, Ouzts Too in Newport, and Hobbit at South Capital Circle and Crawfordville Highway. The final stop is the Wakulla Free Riders Clubhouse, 45 Allen Harvey Road, with the last bike in at 5 p.m. All bikes and cars are welcome, and no coolers are permitted.
Event donation jars are available throughout Wakulla County. The poker run costs $10 per hand, and participants may draw at any stop. Those who make all five stops receive an extra card. Prizes include $100 for best hand, $25 for worst hand, 50/50, and raffle. A hand-knitted throw blanket will be open for auction. Jubel Poker Run Koozies and T-shirts will be available for purchase.
The clubhouse gates open at 2 p.m. Live music by Big Poppa & The Shuffle Brothers begins at 4 p.m., and barbecue chicken will be served with all the fixings.
All proceeds will be donated to Big Bend Hospice of Wakulla County. For more information, call Bryan at 850-694-2789.