About The Savannah tribune. (Savannah, Ga.) 1973-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 19, 2008)
10 - The Savannah Tribune • Wednesday, November 19, 2008 SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NEWS Local Girl Scout Represents Council at National Convention “Be a Santa to a Senior” Brighten the Holidays for Hundreds of Forgotten Seniors in Chatham, Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Volunteers and Santa to Deliver 1,000 Gifts in December Hundreds of local sen iors who otherwise might be forgotten this holiday season will receive gifts and com panionship once again through the local “Be a Santa to a Senior” program. Dozens of senior living facilities, non-profit organizations and area retailers are partnering with event sponsor Home Instead Senior Care of Savannah and Hilton Head Island to brighten the lives of seniors in Chatham, Beaufort and Jasper counties with 1,000 gifts. “While we focus on children during this time of year, we also must remember our older generation that too often is overlooked,” said Rachel Carson, owner of Home Instead Senior Care offices in Savannah and Hilton Head. The program is also designed to provide social interaction for seniors who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.” From Monday, Nov. 3, until Friday, Nov. 28, shop pers can select ornaments from “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees in Savannah at all four Darby Bank locations, Shear Elegance, 8507 Ferguson Ave., Neal Chiropractic and Wellness, 1101 E. 51st St., Curves, 7135 Hodgson Memorial, Merry Times, 4521 Habersham St., and the Wound Care Clinic, 815 E. 68th St. Many others are helping with the program: Memorial Day School is having a dress- down day to raise money, Johnson High School is hold ing a stuffed animal drive, Curves at Savannah Mall is gathering wrapping paper and supplies, and Generation One is donating storage space for gifts. On Wednesday Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be a progressive dinner and raffle at Palm Meadows Court, Palm Meadows Village and Hawthorne Inn. Each ornament lists the first name of a senior in need, along with gift requests. Seniors were selected by par ticipating non-profit organi zations. Holiday shoppers can purchase gifts and return them unwrapped, along with the ornament, to the tree loca tion. Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the help of com munity volunteers and staff members to collect, wrap, and distribute the gifts. Wrapping parties are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Wednesday, Dec. 3 in Savannah, and Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Broadcreek Care Center, and Wednesday, Dec. 10, at S.H.A.R.E. on Hilton Head Island. Santa Claus and many volunteers will deliver gifts beginning Thursday, Dec. 11. Anyone interested in volun teering is encouraged to con tact Home Instead Senior Care at (912) 355-0099 or hiscrach@bellsouth.net. Businesses are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of sen iors. For more information about the program, tree loca tions and community part ners, log on to www.beasan- tatoasenior.com. SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Girl Scouts of the USA host ed their national convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 30 - November 2, 2008, and the event brought thousands of girls, adults, celebrities and exhibitors to the town. One of just sixteen Girl Scouts from across the state of Georgia to attend the con ference, local Girl Scout Senior Candice Johnson of Troop 30440 in Savannah represented the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia as a guest at the convention. Johnson is a sophomore at Savannah Arts Academy and has been a Girl Scout for eleven years. Pop culture fixtures like MTV's SuChin Pak, Radio Disney's Keke Palmer and stars of MTV's Run's House Angela and Vanessa Simmons headlined a special event for 2000 girls - the Girl Scout Leadership Institute - before the convention at Indiana Convention Center and Westin Hotel. The event's theme was Live healthy, Lead healthy, and workshops from nationally recognized experts focused on physical and emotional health, global diversity and advocacy. The Girl Scout Leadership Institute was planned by 22 Girl Scouts from across central Indiana. SuChin Pak, MTV News Correspondent, led a panel discussion about dif ferent cultural and media views of women around the globe, and Angela and Candice Johnson Vanessa Simmons of MTV's Run's House and founders of Pastry clothing line closed the Girl Scout Leadership Institute with a keynote pres entation about the challenges of starting their own business and living in the media spot light. The duo signed on with the Girl Scout organization last November to help pro mote the Girl Scouts' entre preneurship and financial lit eracy programs. The 2008 Girl Scout National Council Session/51st Convention opened on the evening of October 30, with thousands of Girl Scouts from across the nation celebrating with a flag ceremony, a visit from Indianapolis Mayor Gregory Ballard and a concert by new Def Jam recording artist Karina Pais. The Girl Scout National Council Session/Convention takes place every three years. During this event, the National Council of Girl Scouts makes important decisions critical to the con tinued success of the organi zation. The National Council consists of delegates elected by local Girl Scout councils, and is representa tive of USA Girl Scouts Overseas, members of the National Board of Directors and the National Nominating Committee, past presidents of Girl Scouts of the USA and other persons who may be elected by the National Council. Business meetings to vote on the direction of the organization were highlight ed with small group discus sions and motivational guest speakers. The convention wrapped up with presenta tions by award-winning actress Geena Davis and Marie C. Wilson. Inaugural Fund Raising Event for Savannah ? s West Broad Street YMCA On November 30, 2008, at 5 pm, West Broad Street YMCA at 1110 May St. will be host to “Those Singing Pastors” an inaugural fund raising event for the Y. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be available. Rev. Clarence “Teddy” Williams of First Tabernacle Baptist Church and Pastor Shannon O'Neil Smith Sr. of First Mount Sinai Church have offered a challenge to Savannah area pastors to help raise funds for the West Broad Street YMCA. Pastors are encouraged to support this endeavor with not less than $500 raised from their congre gation. Currently there are 8 churches participating and more are expected. Mr. E. Larry McDuffie, local radio host and well known speaker, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event. “It will be a time of food, fun, and fellowship!”, says McDuffie adding, “And best of all it is free to the pub lic!” Awards will be given for the most funds raised by a congregation, best dressed, event attendance, and best singer. Currently along with Rev. Williams and Pastor Smith, Rev. Willie C. Rice of Macedonia Baptist Church, Dr. Norris Darden of New Generation Full Gospel Church, Bishop Napper of Power House, Rev. Matthew Southall Brown, Jr. for St. John Baptist, and Rev. Sammy Kenty of Jerusalem Baptist Church have agreed to partici pate. “It's really a great cause,” states Pastor Smith. “The Y serves so many people in the community. It has had some hard times in the past but it is really coming around. We want to help it grow to serve more of the families in our area. It has a rich history and a great future if we help it.” Smith says. There will be full din ners, beverages, and deserts for sale at the event. It is for the whole family and sure to be a time of great fun, laugh ter, joy, and wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. Oglethorpe Robert 11 Bub" flwir.' Jfmtrr for Aii h'vtilf llflrf fi'iVifi OrH(! mi) burnt|513LBJ iU\ FiN (}U|35^-5ri5 :J itibeBIteii&Hle'ftMrperedltyAHn Mwcum EspiesBuKf J (MhnA.Gmnjfi Peace pf Mind Custom Designed Bronze Markers Marble and Granite Monuments Flowers for All Occassions 5548 Ogeechee Road Suite J(Hwy. 17 Rest of Dean Forrest Road) (912) 234-0106 i C All Major Credit Cards Accepted
