The Good News for Nov. 18

As the holiday season approaches, many churches, fire departments, businesses, and organizations are holding turkey shoots and Christmas celebrations. Be sure to send all your Santerrific events to Columbus County News for publication. There is no charge for this service, and the news can be read absolutely free at www.columbuscountynews.com. When you visit the website, sign up for the CCN newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox every morning.

• Shizzy's Wildcat Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization, is building a 56-acre big cat sanctuary located in Fair Bluff. They need volunteers to help with the construction of den boxes and installation of perimeter fencing, top railing and kickers on several big cat and wolf habitats on Saturday, Nov.19, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

All interested volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be able to lift a minimum of 20 pounds, and be comfortable working in various weather conditions. No experience is necessary. Groups are welcomed. To sign up, please contact Rhonda Billeaud at rhonda.billeaud@shizzyswildcatrescue.orgor call 910.840.1886.

• Join the Whiteville Fun Factory on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., for their Car Cruise In Toys for Tots drive. There will be cars on display, and folks are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate. Cash is also accepted. The factory is located at 42 Hill Plaza in Whiteville.

• The 2022 Riegelwood Thanksgiving and Christmas parade and festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19 starting at 11 a.m. The parade route starts at Forest Drive and will end at the corner of Green Street and Cornwallis Road after circling the village community. For more information, visit the Riegelwood Parade “Christmas in the Village” Facebook page.

• The family and friends of youngster Adalynn Cartrette will be doing a pulled pork BBQ plate benefit on Saturday, Nov.19, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Murf’s Pawn Shop in Whiteville. Plates will be $10 each. All proceeds will go to the family to help will bills and travel expenses for prolonged hospital stays as the little girl battles a heart condition.

• The Presbyterian Church in Whiteville will be holding a free Sunday soup lunch on Nov. 20 from 1-3 p.m. or until the food is gone. The meal will include soup, cornbread, crackers, and dessert. Everyone in the community is invited. The church is located at 511 North Thompson Street.

Turkey shoots through November

Transformation Church will have turkey shoot tonight, and every Saturday night, at 7 p.m. Through November. The church is located one mile north of Williams Township School, at 9955 James B. White Highway South.

Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department is well known for having one of the biggest turkey shoots in the county every year. The contests run through Nov. 26. Start time is 7 p.m. The fire station is located at 10263 Old 74, Evergreen.

Old Dock will host a turkey shoot throughout the month of November. Shooting time starts at 7 p.m.

Abundant Life Assembly of God will hold their annual turkey shoot tonight at 7 p.m. There will be concessions, ladies and kids rounds, and fellowship. The event will run every Friday and Saturday night through November.

Christmas fundraisers and donation drives

• The N.C. Works Career Center located on the campus of Southeastern Community College is now accepting applications for their Christmas toy drive. To qualify, children must be 13 years old or younger. Parents can also fill out an application to receive career services via an N.C. Works advisor. The deadline to sign up for the drive is Dec. 2. For more information, call 910.642.7141 extension 261. Accepted applicants will be notified for pickup on Dec. 9.

• Santa Claus is coming to town, and Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue has all your tree needs covered. The department will be having a Christmas tree and wreath sale fundraiser on Monday, Nov. 21, at the station. The fresh cut evergreens range from $75-$200 and stand between 6-12 feet tall. Wreaths can be purchased for $30-$45 and have a diameter of 12-24 inches. To place an order, call Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue at 910.649.7099 or contact a station member. The department is located at 152 Main Street.

• The Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue Department is a drop off location for Toys for Tots this year. Those who wish to help out on the Eastern end of the county can pop by the station with a new, unused, unwrapped toy. LWFRD is located at 203 Flemington Drive in Lake Waccamaw.

• The Columbus Baptist Association is looking for donations for their annual Christmas Toy Store. The organization needs brand new unwrapped toys to fulfill the needs of over 550 children. The items can be dropped off at the CBA office located at 208 South Thompson Street in Whiteville through Dec. 1. To find out more about how you can help, call 910.642.2155.

• The Military Vet Riders Association will be partnering with the Columbus Baptist Association for their twenty-fourth annual Toy Run on Saturday, Dec. 3. The Toy Run will start at Whiteville Walmart parking lot, and the cost of the ride is $10 or a new unwrapped toy. Registration is from 9-10 a.m.

The event will start immediately afterwards. Participants will travel to different parts of Columbus County to collect toys for the CBA Christmas Toy Store. For more information, contact Roz Skochinsky at 910.445.3062 or Don Edmunds at 910.207.1558.

• The Whiteville City Schools' Board of Education is now accepting donations for their 2022 Angel Tree. Gifts can include bikes, toys, clothes, winter coats, shoes, and other items. Angel gifts are due by Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. and can be dropped off at the facility located at 107 West Walter Street in Whiteville. For more information, contact Shenicka Banks at 910.642.3546. She can also be reached by email at sbanks@whiteville.k12.nc.us.

• If you are looking for a permanent gift to give this season, you can have a brick engraved and placed at the Veterans Memorial Park of America. Most designs can be used, and the organization will be issuing certificates for those who would like to present the donation to a loved one or family member who served in one of the seven military branches. The deadline for entries is Dec. 9. For more information, contact Angela Norris at 910.840.3848.

Happy holiday events and more

• While the Thanksgiving turkey is still settling, get out and about with the Shop Our Stores Downtown Whiteville event on Nov. 26. Shop locally for a chance to win money and prizes for the holiday season, and bring the little ones to meet Santa and Ms. Claus at the Chamber office from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Several other beloved Christmas characters will be at different locations throughout the day, and the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Whiteville will be celebrating Indian Heritage Month.

Shop that day, and hang around that evening for the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. There will be music, food, hot cocoa, free horse carriage rides, a visit from Santa, and so much more. For a list of characters and all the events happening that day, visit the Shop Our Store Downtown Whiteville Facebook page.

• The Whiteville Juniorettes Club got environmentally friendly this week. In honor of National Recycling Day, the girls collected and recycled over 9 bags full of items. Their goal was to lend a hand to the cause to help keep the environment safe and healthy.

• Three youngsters were named the winners for the Columbus County Parks and Recreation 2022 Veterans Day coloring contest. Markia Lawson, Cesar Pineda, and Kayla Lewis were picked out of over 400 entries.