CRESTVIEW — Savannah Barefield was excited to see the number of people inside the McDonald's restaurant Monday on North Ferdon Boulevard — especially since they were there to support her 12-year-old brother, Drew.

“This is so humbling, to see all of these people supporting him,” she said. “My family feels so blessed.”

 Savannah was one of several Emmanuel Baptist Church youths volunteering Monday night at the fast food restaurant. Many wore shirts and arm bracelets supporting Drew, who was critically injured from a June boating incident.

 Youth members even held homemade signs calling it ‘McDrew Night.’

PHOTOS: See 13 photos from the 'McDrew Night' >>

Costa Enterprises, which manages all three McDonald’s locations in Crestview, agreed to give 20 percent of all proceeds to Drew and family from sales made between 4 and 8 p.m. Monday at the North Ferdon location.

Youth members, helping regular staffers, greeted customers, delivered meals and cleaned tables. Face-painting and fundraising T-shirt sales were available to customers.

To cater to more customers, the church set more tables and seating in front of the restaurant.

Dennis Ealy, area supervisor for Costa, said many thanked him for allowing the fundraiser to happen.   

 “It’s really not needed, because this is something that we really want to do,” he said.

Joining Savannah were Drew’s 14-year-old cousin, Micah Brannon, and her sister, Moriah.

“It’s phenomenal seeing all of the support behind the family,” Micah said. “Just seeing all of the people wearing the T-shirts supporting Drew (and) nobody told them to; it’s just great.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family: Community's support on 'McDrew' night 'phenomenal' (PHOTOS)

Drivers will encounter lane closures this week on I-10, State Road (S.R.) 85 and U.S. 98 in Okaloosa County as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.

Operations will take place at night from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the following locations:

·       Tuesday, July 22, I-10 over Shoal River (2.4 miles east of S.R. 85/ MM 56), eastbound outside lane

·       Wednesday, July 23, I-10 over Shoal River (2.4 miles east of S.R. 85/ MM 56), westbound outside lane

·       Thursday, July 24 S.R. 85 over Shoal River ( 2.4 miles south of I-10), northbound outside lane

·        Friday, July 25, U.S. 98 over East Pass (west end of Destin), eastbound outline lane

·       Saturday, July 26, U.S. 98 over East Pass (west end of Destin ), westbound outside lane 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lane closures set for some bridges in Okaloosa County

A number of fundraisers will benefit a Crestview boy in a medically induced coma.

Drew Barefield was hit by a boat propeller on June 28 while snorkeling in shallow water off Walton County’s Choctaw Beach. The boat driver left the scene of the accident.

Fundraisers are as follows:                                        

•Chill, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 26: 20 percent of yogurt sales at the 2218 S. Ferdon Blvd., establishment will benefit the Barefields.

•Gordon Martial Arts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2: The West Oakdale Avenue parking lot will facilitate numerous vendors, event organizer Barbara Gordon said. Vendors should bring booth supplies such as a tent, tables and chairs. Call 682-5214 for details.

•A half Boston butt fundraiser—To order, call Mercedes Jones, 826-2014. Jones says the roasts are 10- to 14-pound half butts. Payment is due Aug. 5 and pickup will be Aug. 8 and 9 depending on how many orders are taken. Pick-up sites will be in Crestview, Laurel Hill, Milton, and possibly Niceville and Destin.

•BBVA Compass Bank's Drew Barefield Donation Account is accepting contributions.

•Paypal users can send monetary donations to hattiebrannon@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fundraisers for Crestview boy scheduled

CRESTVIEW — Support for a 12-year-old and his family has grown so much that a common hashtag, #prayfordrew, is all over Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on North Okaloosa businesses' signs.

Drew Barefield was hit by a boat propeller on June 28 while snorkeling in shallow water off Walton County’s Choctaw Beach. The boat driver left the scene of the accident. Currently, Drew is in a medically induced coma, Wendy, his mother stated in a Facebook message to the News Bulletin. 

“He has a long road ahead of him … my husband Trey and I are just taking it moment by moment, day by day and thanking Jesus for the little miracles he gives us," she stated.

The family, including Drew's sister, Savannah, are active members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, but community support has surpassed church membership.

#Prayfordrew appears on McDonald’s and BBVA Compass Bank's electronic signs and social media websites, and now is on bracelets, T-shirts and coffee mugs.

Lacy Gatlin, 23, of Atlanta, came up with the hashtag that started a movement.

Gatlin, who grew up in Crestview, is friends with the Barefields, and shortly after the accident created a graphic that stated: "#prayfordrew Hebrews 10:23" on her Facebook page. She made it her profile picture.

What happened next surprised her.

"Probably within the next morning, by the time I woke up, it was 100 people's profile picture. At this point in time, I don't even know the extent of where that's gone."

Gatlin, a worship leader, said she's just grateful that the hashtag is raising awareness and funds for the family.

“When we heard about this, it touched our hearts. We thought this would be a great way to ask people to pray for Drew,” said David Costa Jr., of Costa Enterprises, which owns and operates all three Crestview McDonald's locations.

FUNDRAISERS

Several fundraisers are scheduled to help the Barefields.

•The North Ferdon Boulevard McDonald's will offer 20 percent of Monday's profits — between 4 and 8 p.m. — to the family for medical bills and travel expenses. Emmanuel youth group members will assist restaurant staffers by greeting customers, cleaning tables and delivering meals.

•Gordon Martial Arts, on West Oakdale Avenue, will open its parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 to facilitate numerous fundraisers, event organizer Barbara Gordon said. Call 682-5214 to become a vendor.

•Donations and cards are still being accepted at the church, 3252 E James Lee Blvd, Crestview, and an account is set up at BBVA Compass Bank.

The family appreciates all the efforts, Wendy said.

“We are so humbled by all the support and prayers of our family, friends and community,” she said.

“We can't wait to share with Drew how everyone has rallied around him!”

—

Visit the Prayers for Drew Facebook page for updates on Drew Barefield's condition.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa residents support Crestview child following boating accident

CRESTVIEW — Julie Voiles says she's glad that helping out your neighbor isn't so old-fashioned that it's become forgotten.

The Crestview Manor resident expressed appreciation for five Spring Creek Apartments staffers who volunteered their entire Thursday cleaning, mowing and painting at the assisted-living facility.

Manor staff — including director Becky Brice-Nash and maintenance employee Sharail Figures — appreciated the extra help.

And Voiles commended the gesture.

 “It’s nice to see that people still do stuff like this,” she said.

Greystone Property Management Corporation, which manages Spring Creek, makes community involvement a priority, said Kristin Tugman, the Crestview rental complex's property manager.

“Once a year the entire company will take a day to get out of the office and find a place to volunteer in the community,” she said.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce directed Tugman and her associates toward Crestview Manor.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spring Creek staffers spruce up Crestview Manor

CRESTVIEW — Sandy Connors has learned different shooting techniques, how camera angles affect composition and she's picked up some photo editing skills.

She credits the extra knowledge to attending Crestview Photo Club meetings, which monthly attract 30 regulars to the Crestview Public Library.  

The club, which celebrated its first year on Monday, now has new officers. Taking over as club president is Terry Maloney, who co-founded the club with Mira Crisp.

Crisp, who's moving with family next month to Texas, said the 60-member group has “surpassed expectations."

“I just thought we would have around a dozen people interested in photography,” she said.

But the learn-as-you-go approach attracted novices like Connors.

“There is such a wide range of skill (here),” she said. “You don’t have to be an expert on photography.”

Crisp said she will miss those shutterbugs, and hopes the club continues to prosper.

Maloney plans to expose members to new photo challenges, inviting guest speakers and taking more group photography trips.

“We are an enthusiasts club, not a professional club, so everything is about having fun,” she said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Crestview Photo Clubmeetings

WHEN: 6 p.m. second Mondays

WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive

ONLINE: crestviewphotoclub.com or facebook.com/crestviewphotoclub

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Photo Club celebrates first year, installs new officers

CRESTVIEW — Next week, Lamar Estridge will bicycle to his hometown, Dayton, Ohio, while supporting two causes close to his heart.

Estridge, an active duty soldier with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), will travel more than 1,700 miles to support a new bicycling club in Crestview and provide needed school supplies in Dayton classrooms.

It's a labor of love he calls "Ride for Change."

INSPIRING, ENCOURAGING YOUTHS

Estridge, who leaves Crestview on July 24, will travel through five states and camp at different locations along the way. He will bicycle back to Crestview on July 31.

“It’s going to be challenging; my goal is to cover 100 to 150 miles a day,” Estridge said. 

So far, a fundrazr.com account for the cause has reached $50 of a $10,000 goal.

All proceeds will be split between Crayons to Classrooms, an organization that provides school supplies to underfunded Dayton classrooms, and the Crestview Community Cycling Club.

Supporting schools in his hometown is important to Estridge.

“I am riding to inspire and encourage youth,” he said on the fundraising website. “I faced many influences that pushed me towards the street life. If I would have made the choice of violence and drugs it may have gotten me killed or landed me in prison.”

Faith helped Estridge make the choice to join the military and raise four children with his wife, Andria.

BICYCLE CLUB

Crestview's bicycle club, which started three months ago, has almost 20 members, Estridge said.

 The club, also called C4, meets Saturday and Sunday mornings near the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce building. Members cycle between 20 and 30 miles each day. 

“We are just out there exercising and having fun,” he said.

In addition to bicycling recreationally, Estridge has made it a necessity.

He often bicycles another 20 miles each day, back and forth on South Ferdon Boulevard, to get to work.

In all, Estridge said he bicycles between 50 and 100 miles each day. 

It's helped with exercise, but also with fuel costs, Estridge said. 

“I have saved quite a bit on gas,” he said. "I have saved $250 to $300 a month (on gas)."

ONLINE

Visit facebook.com/lamarcyclesforchange to follow Lamar Estridge’s Riding for Change fundraiser page.

Visit http://bit.ly/1nzs8a3 to sponsor the journey.

Learn more about the Crestview Community Cycling Club at http://facebook.com/c4cyclingclub

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Man biking to Ohio to support hometown schools, bicycle club

State Road 123 will be closed this weekend, July 19 and 20, from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., impacting entrance to the Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) from the north.

The Northwest Florida Regional Airport suggests visitors to the airport from the north use either State Highway 85 south to College Road, or State Highway 20 to State 85 south to the airport. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Alternate route suggested for NWF Regional Airport with State Road 123 closure