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Plethora of events benefit charity
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| Some of the 225 motorcycle riders socialize Saturday after arriving at the Lake City Mall. The riders helped children by bringing toys for the Christmas Dream Machine. JEFF M. HARDISON/Lake City Reporter |
Pictures with Santa highlights a busy day around town.
By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
It may become known as “Charity Saturday.”
Mirroring the spirit of giving, several events filled the day around Lake City. A single thread ran through the city — giving service to others.
Motorcyclists, veterans, Girl Scouts, charitable runners and Santa Claus all were active Saturday.
Motorcyclists brought gifts to the Lake City Mall to help the Christmas Dream Machine, which heralds its 20th anniversary this year.
It was the Seventh Annual Christmas Dream Machine Motorcycle Run. There were 225 motorcyclists participating.
Motorcyclists donated at least $5,000 worth of toys, said Donny Murray, one of the founders of the motorcycle ride to bring toys to children in Columbia County.
Among those toys were 18 bicycles, ranging in cost from $40 to $70 each.
Donny and his wife Polly Murray own Columbia County Cycles. Other founders of this charity motorcycle ride are Ralph and Cookie Murray of Live Oak (no relation to Donny and Polly), Rick Austin of Cherry Lake, and Debra and Jeff Bolduc of Lake City.
“Maybe five to seven of us started it,” Austin said. “The first ride was from Phish Heads to the mall and then back. That was it.”
“I think it’s awesome,” Debra Bolduc said. “It’s for a good cause. We keep this money in our county and it helps children who otherwise wouldn’t have anything to open on Christmas.”
Meally Jenkins, founder and director of the Christmas Dream Machine thanked the bikers for the goodness in their hearts.
The Christmas Dream Machine is located near Goody’s and beside Hibbett Sports in the Lake City Mall, in the 2400 block of West U.S. Highway 90. The hours of the Christmas Dream Machine are 12 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.
Last year, the Christmas Dream Machine gave gifts to 965 children in Columbia, Suwannee and Union counties. The number to call for more information about the Christmas Dream Machine is (386) 758-8398.
Wreaths Across America
The Wreaths Across America ceremony marked its third year at the memorial headstones for veterans in Olustee Park.
Last December, there were 286 locations hosting the event nationwide. On Saturday, that number exceeded 350.
Susan Palmer served as emcee. Wreaths were placed at the memorial. Alma Decker, who served as a driver during World War II, laid a wreath in memory of U.S. Army veterans.
David Uriste, who served with the River Assault Squadron in Vietnam, presented a wreath for Navy veterans. Lee Collins, a former infantryman in Vietnam, placed a wreath to honor Marine Corps veterans.
James Gorton, who served in Korea as a musician, laid a wreath for Air Force veterans. John Henry Douglas, of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 772 laid a wreath in memory of Coast Guard veterans.
Michael Dove, who served as a captain in the Merchant Marines, laid a wreath in memory of Merchant Marines. Clayton Marshall, who was held as a POW in Vietnam, laid a wreath in honor of the 93,852 servicemen from all branches whose last know status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
Paul Martel, the American Legion Florida Department Commander, and Larry Krull, Columbia County American Legion Post 57 Commander were keynote speakers.
Martel said he prefers not to mourn veterans who gave their lives in service to their country. Instead, he said, he simply wants to honor their memory.
“You are exactly what’s right with America,” Martel said to all past and present veterans.
Krull concurred with Martel, adding he believes veterans need to remember, honor and teach.
A child once asked him what a “Powmia” was. This is why they need to learn, he said, as the child put POW and MIA together as one word.
Girl Scout ornaments
While veterans were honored by wreath presentations, five troops of Girl Scouts created Christmas ornaments at the Lake City Mall.
Members of troops 926, 500, 447, 57 and 939 helped other children construct ornaments. Barbara Breitberg, who is the service unit manager for 12 active troops in Columbia County, said the girls have been doing this for at least five years now.
Troop 926 also helped children create Hanukkah crafts, like edible dreidles.
Jingle Bell Run
The Jingle Bell Run, a 5K race to help children, was held Saturday evening in the Lake DeSoto area.
The Third Judicial Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem program hosted the event. The guardian ad litem program provides a voice for children.
Children who are in this circuit court system as a result of being abused, neglected or abandoned need support, said Sandy Tice, Third Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program supervisor.
This circuit includes Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
Proceeds from the $25 registration fee for the 5K run go to help children who are represented by the guardian ad litem program. The money helps pay for school supplies, clothes, school activities, field trips and the like, Tice said.
There was also a free Family Fun Run-Walk, led by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. All children received jingle bells.
Santa Claus photos
During the early evening and into the night, the white-bearded gentleman who embodies some of the ideals of Christmas paused for pictures with children in Olustee Park.
He heard children’s wishes for the holiday season. Members of the Downtown Action Corp. took photos of children with Santa and provided free prints to parents and grandparents.
During the night, the Grace Harbor Church Band performed.
Next week, the Puppetone Rockers, a concert featuring 17 different singing and dancing puppet characters are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The concert is sponsored by the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and First Street Music. Santa is slated to be in Olustee Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, too.
Mirroring the spirit of giving, several events filled the day around Lake City. A single thread ran through the city — giving service to others.
Motorcyclists, veterans, Girl Scouts, charitable runners and Santa Claus all were active Saturday.
Motorcyclists brought gifts to the Lake City Mall to help the Christmas Dream Machine, which heralds its 20th anniversary this year.
It was the Seventh Annual Christmas Dream Machine Motorcycle Run. There were 225 motorcyclists participating.
Motorcyclists donated at least $5,000 worth of toys, said Donny Murray, one of the founders of the motorcycle ride to bring toys to children in Columbia County.
Among those toys were 18 bicycles, ranging in cost from $40 to $70 each.
Donny and his wife Polly Murray own Columbia County Cycles. Other founders of this charity motorcycle ride are Ralph and Cookie Murray of Live Oak (no relation to Donny and Polly), Rick Austin of Cherry Lake, and Debra and Jeff Bolduc of Lake City.
“Maybe five to seven of us started it,” Austin said. “The first ride was from Phish Heads to the mall and then back. That was it.”
“I think it’s awesome,” Debra Bolduc said. “It’s for a good cause. We keep this money in our county and it helps children who otherwise wouldn’t have anything to open on Christmas.”
Meally Jenkins, founder and director of the Christmas Dream Machine thanked the bikers for the goodness in their hearts.
The Christmas Dream Machine is located near Goody’s and beside Hibbett Sports in the Lake City Mall, in the 2400 block of West U.S. Highway 90. The hours of the Christmas Dream Machine are 12 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.
Last year, the Christmas Dream Machine gave gifts to 965 children in Columbia, Suwannee and Union counties. The number to call for more information about the Christmas Dream Machine is (386) 758-8398.
Wreaths Across America
The Wreaths Across America ceremony marked its third year at the memorial headstones for veterans in Olustee Park.
Last December, there were 286 locations hosting the event nationwide. On Saturday, that number exceeded 350.
Susan Palmer served as emcee. Wreaths were placed at the memorial. Alma Decker, who served as a driver during World War II, laid a wreath in memory of U.S. Army veterans.
David Uriste, who served with the River Assault Squadron in Vietnam, presented a wreath for Navy veterans. Lee Collins, a former infantryman in Vietnam, placed a wreath to honor Marine Corps veterans.
James Gorton, who served in Korea as a musician, laid a wreath for Air Force veterans. John Henry Douglas, of The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 772 laid a wreath in memory of Coast Guard veterans.
Michael Dove, who served as a captain in the Merchant Marines, laid a wreath in memory of Merchant Marines. Clayton Marshall, who was held as a POW in Vietnam, laid a wreath in honor of the 93,852 servicemen from all branches whose last know status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
Paul Martel, the American Legion Florida Department Commander, and Larry Krull, Columbia County American Legion Post 57 Commander were keynote speakers.
Martel said he prefers not to mourn veterans who gave their lives in service to their country. Instead, he said, he simply wants to honor their memory.
“You are exactly what’s right with America,” Martel said to all past and present veterans.
Krull concurred with Martel, adding he believes veterans need to remember, honor and teach.
A child once asked him what a “Powmia” was. This is why they need to learn, he said, as the child put POW and MIA together as one word.
Girl Scout ornaments
While veterans were honored by wreath presentations, five troops of Girl Scouts created Christmas ornaments at the Lake City Mall.
Members of troops 926, 500, 447, 57 and 939 helped other children construct ornaments. Barbara Breitberg, who is the service unit manager for 12 active troops in Columbia County, said the girls have been doing this for at least five years now.
Troop 926 also helped children create Hanukkah crafts, like edible dreidles.
Jingle Bell Run
The Jingle Bell Run, a 5K race to help children, was held Saturday evening in the Lake DeSoto area.
The Third Judicial Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem program hosted the event. The guardian ad litem program provides a voice for children.
Children who are in this circuit court system as a result of being abused, neglected or abandoned need support, said Sandy Tice, Third Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program supervisor.
This circuit includes Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
Proceeds from the $25 registration fee for the 5K run go to help children who are represented by the guardian ad litem program. The money helps pay for school supplies, clothes, school activities, field trips and the like, Tice said.
There was also a free Family Fun Run-Walk, led by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. All children received jingle bells.
Santa Claus photos
During the early evening and into the night, the white-bearded gentleman who embodies some of the ideals of Christmas paused for pictures with children in Olustee Park.
He heard children’s wishes for the holiday season. Members of the Downtown Action Corp. took photos of children with Santa and provided free prints to parents and grandparents.
During the night, the Grace Harbor Church Band performed.
Next week, the Puppetone Rockers, a concert featuring 17 different singing and dancing puppet characters are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
The concert is sponsored by the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and First Street Music. Santa is slated to be in Olustee Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, too.
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