Tis The Season for Giving

As it’s officially December 1st and the crazy shopping days come to a close, we’re focusing our efforts on a little social good. The holiday season is upon us and the malls are filled with shoppers frantically fighting the crowds to find that perfect gift or carefully planning their holiday menus! With all the excitement of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget those who are less fortunate and will go without. Our office has teamed up with a few charity programs in the area to give back

We have teamed up with WAGES Meals on Wheels as a donation collection point. Now through December 15th we are collecting pop-top items for the families in need during the Christmas holiday. The boy scouts will help bag the items to be delivered to participants in the meals on wheels program.

We are also teaming up with Jeri Lynn Coker in the Blanket the Nursing Homes with Love. She is collecting blankets to be delivered to the local nursing homes who might not have family. Each blanket will be wrapped in a ribbon with a Christmas card. Our goal is collect 100 blankets. Please feel free to drop a blanket or cash off.

Get the whole family involved in the giving! Decide as a family how much you want to give, but then consider dividing the total by the number of family members. Allow each member of your family to make their own donation choice based on their passions and interests. There’s no better way to teach children than by doing!

Here are some fun activities to get you in the Christmas Spirit.

~ December 1st, the Nutcracker Ballet will take place 7pm at the Paramount theater performed by the Goldsboro Ballet. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for kids. 919-583-8432

~ Tower Lighting and mini Christmas market will be held downtown Mount Olive from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Friday December 1. There will be free refreshments and rides on the Friends of Parks Pickle Train.

~ Christmas by Candlelight even will take place Dec 1 at 730pm at the Hazel Water Korgnay Hall at the University of Mount Olive. Guests will enjoy a Christ-centered service patterned after the Festival of Nine Lessons Carols. Free event however tickets are required. john.clifton@umo.edu

~ Starlight Dance Bands Christmas by startlight concert will take place from 7pm to 10pm on Dec 1 at the Herman Park Center. Cost is $10 per person. 919-778-1408.

~ First Friday will take place on Dec 1 at the arts Council of Wayne County. It will be a Holiday Stroll downtown. Participants can start at either of the Arts Council or Wayne County Public Library. Free. Information 919-736-3300

~ Breakfast with Santa 7am to 9:30am at HWY 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries in Mount Olive Dec 2. $6 you get 3 pancakes and two pieces of bacon and a drink.

~ Mount Olive Christmas parade will take place at 10am Dec 2. I will begin with the Wayne County Sheriffs Office and end with Santa Claus.

~ A Christmas Bazaar will be held at the Peggy Seegars Senior Center Dec 2 from 9am to 1pm. It will feature gift baskets, crafts, household items, cookbooks, scarves, jewelry and much more. 919-731-1589

~ December 5th Christmas candelight tours will take place at the Gov. Charles B. Aycock birthplace in Fremont 6:30pm to 9pm. Admission is $2 per person. Information 919-242-5581

~ Line Dancing for adults will take place at the Steele Memorial Library from Adults Dec 5th 9:30 to 10:30am. Free. Register by calling 919-299-8105

~ A night in Bethlehem Stoney Creek Church. Dec 1 through Dec 2. 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Register online stoneycreekchurch.net.

~ Dec 2 11:00am to 6:30pm “Santa in the Park” Dee’s memorial Park in Pikeville. $5.00 admission. Tree lighting 6:00pm.

~ Free Horse-Drawn Trolley Ride 6-8pm 120 N. Center Street. December 5th, 12th, 9th.

~ Dec 2 The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce host this downtown Christmas parade. Come out and old to enjoy the signs and sounds of the holiday season. Starts at 4pm. 919-734-2241

~ Dec 1 and 2nd shop the block all day Downtown Goldsboro. Support local business. 919-735-4959

~ Dec 1 – 23rd Take a selfie with the Elfie. DCDG and downtown business bring Elf on the Shelf to life with a month long scavenger hunt. One entry will win downtown dollars each day. 919-735-4959