Stuffed owl drive underway at Kids First
MIDDLEBURG – Joyce Hall, Avon district manager, presents the first stuffed animal to Ernie Cohen, community liaison with the foster care agency Kids First of Florida. Hall has been collecting cash donations throughout the community to pay for the owls, then donating them to children who are being served by Kids First. She has already delivered 40 stuffed owls and is currently collecting contributions for 40 more. Cohen said Hall’s efforts are certainly bringing joy to numerous kids.

Youth pitch in for ‘Christmas Child’
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Youth from American Heritage Girls troop number FL 3130 recently worked with Trail Life USA troop number FL1045 to make Christmas brighter for children overseas. On Nov. 3, youth packed and prayed over 64 boxes for the international program ‘Operation Christmas Child.’ American Heritage Girls has set a goal of packing an shipping 21,000 boxes this year in honor of its 21st year of operation. This is Trail Life’s third year of service and partnership with Operation Christmas Child. Last year nationwide, American Heritage Girls packed 8,500 boxes. Both troops are chartered and sponsored by Friendship Bible Church.

Farm Share event helps families
MIDDLEBURG – Rep. Travis Cummings(R-Fleming Island) and Sen. Rob Bradley(R-Orange Park) joined the nonprofit Farm Share on Nov. 5 to host a community food distribution at Centerpoint Baptist Church – formerly Madeira Baptist Church – in Middleburg.
More than 382 Clay County families were served; 31,000 pounds of food, community information packets, donated t-shirts and insulated lunch bags were distributed. Each family received a frozen turkey, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables, along with blankets and toiletries, totaling approximately 75 pounds per family.

Barbecue event raises $12,000
ORANGE PARK – The community came together Oct. 27 to raise $12,000 to help fund services for senior citizens. It was part of the Clay County Senior Adult Advocacy Council’s 12th Annual Bar-B-Q. The Council collected the funds through the sale of meals, as well as via corporate sponsorships, which were purchased by several companies and organizations in the community. In turn, the Council then presented a check for $7,000 directly to The Clay County Council on Aging, to help them to continue to serve the seniors of Clay County. After the check presentation, both groups and sponsors Whitey’s Fish Camp and Mojo Smokehouse BBQ of Fleming Island paused for this photo.