CRESTVIEW — Gary Johnson wants the Crestview area's needy children to have a Merry Christmas.

Well, more like a "dreamland" Christmas.

His organization, Brotherhood of Love, will present "Dreamland Christmas," a worship service, lunch and toy giveaway scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 25 at Carver Hill Community Center. An adults-only party will begin at 8:30 p.m. the same day.

Carver Hill Community Center is located at 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

The Brotherhood of Love seeks donations of used and new toys, clothes, shoes and food for the event. Johnson's goal is to collect enough items for 125 girls and 125 boys ranging from ages 3 to 12.

Kids must be present with their parents to be eligible for giveaway items, and there's a reason for that, Johnson said.  

"There are so many kids now out there that don't really have their parents that, you know, show them that they care and they're concerned about what they (are) involved in and what type of environment they're in," Johnson said. "There's too many kids out there that's been unattended. That's why they end up on street corners selling drugs, robbing people, and doing all sorts of things."

So far, Johnson said, the group has received few donations, but he believes that will pick up.

"Some kind of way, God will work it out," he said.

Johnson's nonprofit outreach ministry flourished for years when he lived in the Miami and Thomasville, Ga., areas.

He resurrected the organization in November, when he and a number of volunteers prepared free Thanksgiving meals for needy residents.

The goal was to feed 250 people, but more than 400 people received meals after word about the benefit spread in the News Bulletin and the Northwest Florida Daily News. 

The nonprofit organization will have more events, and will provide financial assistance to people who've been evicted or need help with utility bills, for example. Donors can make checks payable to Brotherhood of Love.

"We don't just do this on certain special days," Johnson said. "This is an ongoing, everyday thing that we reach out in the community to help anyone who is in need."

Call Gary Johnson, 229-379-1741 or 398-0272, for more details about Dreamland Christmas

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Donations sought for Christmas toy, clothes giveaway

CRESTVIEW — Stacie Prahl enjoys the Christmas lights display her stepfather, Mark Waggy, presents each year.

And she's not the only one.

"The whole month of December, you can find families in line around his block to slow down and get a view of his display," Prahl, a Holt resident, stated in an email.

ALL LIT UP

Most of Waggy's property on Monterrey Road lights up at night: from the vintage-style Santa and reindeer that appear to fly off his roof and lights on the lawn arranged in the shape of Christmas trees, to illuminated candy canes staked throughout the property.

Sometimes, he himself embodies the Christmas spirit.

Occasionally, "I'll (portray) Santa and give out candy canes and that sort of thing," the 52-year-old said. Next Monday from 6-8 p.m. he will be dressed as Santa for visitors. Two volunteers, a friend and a coworker will play elves that evening. In addition, a snow machine will add to the display for a couple of days.

THE HARDEST PART

Waggy said he has decorated his house for Christmas ever since he started living on his own.

And each year, it seems like the decorations become more and more grand.

He doesn't know exactly how many lights are involved — "There's thousands," he said. But Waggy spends $300 to $400 a year making sure he has enough for the looks he creates.

"I always say I'm going to start downsizing; it just never works," he said.

When asked what his wife, Nancy, thinks of his efforts, he said, "She likes it, but she always says, 'Why do you do so much every year?' When I'm done she really likes it, though."

The hardest part of decorating is putting up the display, Waggy said. "I use thousands and thousands and thousands of zip ties," he said.

Decorating takes about three weeks, which includes every day after work, "from like 6 to 8 or 9 o'clock at night," he said. He tries to start the weekend after Thanksgiving unless it rains or he otherwise is delayed.

This year, his sons, Matthew Waggy, 30, and Aaron Waggy, 24, both of Crestview, helped him with setup, which was completed Dec. 14. "Normally it's myself, but I'm getting older and slower," Waggy, 52, said. "They're kind of concerned when I'm up on the tree and the roof."

A KIND OF SANTA

Over the years, neighbors have come to expect Waggy's Christmas light display.

"Most of the time before I get started, my neighbors will stop me and ask me, 'When are you going to start?' They bring their grandkids and friends to see (the lights)."

The requests surprised Waggy at first, but now they make decorating an even more important part of the holiday season.

Waggy usually takes the display down the weekend after New Year's Day. But before then, Prahl said, he reminds her of a certain someone.

"He does this display every year for the pure joy it brings for all that see it," she said. "Some may even be reminded of Santa himself."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Christmas light display and visit with Santa Claus

WHEN:6-8 p.m. Dec. 22

WHERE: 3053 Monterrey Road, Crestview

COST: Free

Email Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man spreads joy of Christmas with lights display

CRESTVIEW — The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park's first Zoobilee of Lights continues Dec. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.

The event, 5-9 p.m. each night, presents lights, live entertainment, snowfall, cookie decorating and an appearance by Santa and friends. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 5 and younger. 

Food and beverage will be available for purchase from local vendors. Menu choices include seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, jambalaya, beignets, funnel cakes and carnival-style foods.

Exhibit viewing may be limited, as some of the zoo's animals are brought inside at night.

The ECWR Zoological Park, the former Susquatch Zoo, is located at 5262 Deer Springs Road off U.S. Highway 90, east of Crestview.

Contact the Zoological Park, 682-3949, for more details

See www.ecwrzoo.comor www.facebook.com/ecwrzoo.comfor more information about the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Santa, Mrs. Claus join zoo animals for light display

CRESTVIEW — A year ago, when ChanDrieka Robinson received her qualification letter from Okaloosa County Habitat for Humanity, it “was the best Christmas gift ever,” she said.

Now, she is preparing to move her children — Dejah, 10, David, 9, Joelle, 7, and Jaelah, 4 — into their new Lee Avenue residence.

The Robinsons received keys to their Habitat for Humanity house on Monday. The big day followed more than 3,500 hours of labor and the efforts of 600 volunteers, including Robinson and her kids.

'IT CAME UP FAST'

Volunteers included college students in town for spring break, soldiers from the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and airmen from Hurlburt, Duke and Eglin Air Force Bases, construction manager Bob Hauge said.

“It came up fast when the college kids came down,” Hauge said.

After they helped raise walls, Hauge said he tried to release the students to let them get a little beach time in during their week off. But it was the same day the roof trusses arrived.

“They said, ‘Let us please put these things up,’” Hauge said, so he relented and the students completed framing the house.

As for the oldest volunteer, Roger Budd, 92, “We had to keep him from working up on the roof,” construction manager Bill Prescott said, joking.

LEARNING NEW SKILLS

Robinson thanked Hauge and Prescott for teaching her some of their carpentry skills. Those tip will be useful as she helps other Habitat partner families build their homes, she said.

During a brief dedication ceremony, volunteers presented the Robinsons with  housewarming gifts, including a Bible, furnishings and a hand-stitched sampler made for the family by the Sand Dunes Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.

At the close of the dedication ceremony, the Rev. Catherine Parks, the Robinsons' pastor at Unity Pentecostal Church of God in Crestview, offered benediction. 

“We will reach out to those in need of adequate shelter with our hammers in our hands, love in our hearts and the knowledge that with God, all things are possible,” she said.

“Then we will rejoice together.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Best Christmas gift': Mother of 4 receives keys to Habitat for Humanity home (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — The NAACP's Okaloosa County branch wants to send a message to Crestview area residents: that black people's lives matter.

If all goes well, members will gather at 11 a.m. Saturday at city hall to march in protest of recent violence against black men.

The civil rights organization has a permit application, but hadn't filed it as of our Tuesday afternoon press time, according to Mayor David Cadle's office.

Raymond Nelson, the NAACP's local chapter president, didn't immediately return Tuesday morning phone calls, but a source close to the organization said the only delay is getting insurance for the procession.

Last Saturday, an NAACP gathering attracted 40 people to Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton Beach, according to the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Long-time Crestview resident Mae Reatha Coleman said she hopes this weekend's proposed march can start a larger movement.

She can imagine the Hub City setting an example for the region, and even the nation.

"Crestview can be like a beacon," she said, if diverse groups come together to discuss perceived racial disparties and find solutions to widespread concerns.

'UNDERLYING RACISM'

 "I don't care what color; all over the world and all over the United States, we still have this underlying racism, it's still there," Coleman said.

Locally, a Confederate battle flag flying on city-owned property bounded by State Road 85, Hickory Avenue and First Street raises concern.

Supporters have said removing the flag, a symbol of Southern heritage, would amount to erasing history.

But Escambia County commissioners' decision this month to remove a Confederate battle flag from the Pensacola Bay Center resonated with Coleman.

"Pensacola can remove the flag," she said. "You're gonna tell me I'm paying taxes for this blood flag … (a symbol of) something that killed my forbears?"  

Another concern is some black residents' changing perception of police officers.

"When I was a kid, coming up, we were told the police were your friend. They're supposed to protect you," Coleman said. "Now, everybody I know's scared of the police."

RECENT CASES

The deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Eric Garner in Staten Island, N.Y., and Tamir Rice, in Cleveland, Ohio, have provoked national protests and discussions about race relations.

Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, fatally shot Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black man, on Aug. 9 after an altercation; Wilson earlier determined that Brown matched the description of a man involved in a convenience store theft, according to the New York Times. Before their encounter and altercation, Brown stole several short cigars and shoved a convenience store clerk.

Witness testimony included conflicting statements, according to an AP review of the grand jury, but protestors believe Brown attempted to surrender with his hands up before the fatal shot.  

Garner died July 17 after police, pursuing him for selling single cigarettes without tax stamps, placed him in a choke hold that violates NYPD policy. 

He said, "I can't breathe," several times before his death, which a medical examiner ruled a homicide. A passerby captured most of the encounter on video.

Ohio police fatally shot Tamir, a 12-year-old they believed was carrying a gun, on Nov. 22, according to the Associated Press.  

Those incidents didn't occur in Okaloosa County, but Coleman said they affect everybody.

"The killing is not here today for us, but it may be here tomorrow," she said. "If the killing's in Pensacola or Mobile or anywhere in the U.S., I'm gonna sympathize with it, because that could have been my child that got killed."

Coleman said she encourages Crestview residents of all races and beliefs to gather Saturday, if the march happens, and send a message.

"Let's come together," she said. "The killing needs to stop today."

—

Thoughts? Email tboni@crestviewbulletin.com or tweet@cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'THE KILLING NEEDS TO STOP': NAACP mulls march downtown this weekend

CRESTVIEW — The AMVETS, Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders will deliver free Christmas dinners to local residents.

The groups will travel between Shoal River in the east and south, Yellow River to the west and Auburn Road to the north. 

Residents in need can call 682-8435between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., give their name, address, phone number and how many meals you will need, and state whether they can pick the dinners up themselves. Send requests by 5 p.m. Dec. 22 to ensure there's enough food.

The volunteer groups will deliver meals around noon Dec. 25.   

Dinners will include turkey and baked ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, whole kernel corn, stuffing, a roll and pie. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free Christmas meals available for North Okaloosa's needy

DESTIN — Shelter House's 4th Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic & Sexual Violence raised more than $20,000, according to a spokesperson.

More than 360 runners turned out for the Dec. 6 race, which included 5k and 9k courses throughout the Indian Bayou neighborhood. The 9k distance served as a reminder that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S.

More than 2,000 luminarias represented how Shelter House and its community partners light the way to a safer place for Okaloosa and Walton's domestic and sexual violence survivors, a spokesperson said.

The event concluded with a post-race party at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and dessert courtesy of Karaboo Bakery and Sugarmill Sweets. Runners were also treated to hot cocoa, gumbo, s’mores, hot toddies and more while awards were presented.

The state-certified domestic and sexual violence center provides a 24-hour domestic violence/rape hotline, crisis counseling, advocacy, outreach, support groups, primary prevention, transitional housing and confidential shelter.

Next year's Luminaria Run to End Domestic & Sexual Violence will take place Dec. 5. Call Shelter House, 243-1201 or visit www.shelterhousenwfl.org, for more information on the race or sponsorships.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Run nets $20K for nonprofit serving domestic, sexual violence survivors

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa foster children will be warm and comfortable this winter following the Silver Threads Quilt Guild's recent donations to Children in Crisis.

Guild members donated 176 quilts, 112 pillowcases, 113 Christmas stockings, 67 tote bags and seven bags, each containing a Beanie Baby, to the nonprofit organization.

“Your hands did this and the children feel your love," Ken Hair, with Children in Crisis, said to guild members. He said CIC has given homes to over 500 children since 2008.

In addition, The Emerald Coast Parrot Head Club presented a $1,000 donation to help feed, clothe and care for the children living at the CIC Neighborhood. 

The neighborhood has an emergency shelter for children removed without notice from an unsafe environment, family foster homes for young children and two teen transition homes for foster children aging out of care.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 organizations help Children in Crisis