CRESTVIEW — Dennis Green easily could be mistaken for a Crestview Manor staffer.

He pushes wheelchair-bound residents to the cafeteria and worship services, helps with Bingo set-ups, keeps residents up to date on weather forecasts, leads daily exercise routines and welcomes new residents with a gift basket supplied by the assisted facility.

However, the Virginia native himself is a resident, and he never turns down an opportunity to assist staffers.

And having a longtime heart ailment and memory loss doesn't deter him.

"Volunteering is something I always enjoy doing," said Green, who's been at the Manor two years.

His efforts are appreciated, staffers said.

"He is the positive ray of sunshine at the Crestview Manor," facility director Becky Brice-Nash said. "He is an integral part of our family."

"There is no one else like him," Sandra Adams, the facility's resident care assistant, said. "He is dependable and reliable."  

He's just paying it forward after the Manor and North Okaloosa Medical Center saved him in two different ways, he said.

Green was living in a Pensacola backyard shedwith no power or water just two years ago. But with the Florida Department of Children and Families and Brice-Nash's assistance, he received shelter and renewed purpose. 

 His Social Security benefits fund his stay at the facility, and NOMC physicians helped him recover from a heart attack in 2012, said Green, who attends services at the First Baptist Church of Crestview.

Those are just some of the reasons he enjoys living — and serving — in North Okaloosa County.

"This whole community has been so wonderful," he said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A POSITIVE RAY OF SUNSHINE': Crestview man takes joy in volunteering following homelessness

CRESTVIEW — There is a number of activities scheduled this weekend in North Okaloosa County.

Poker Run

The Iron Order Motorcycle Club of Crestview's 2nd Annual Poker Run on Saturday benefits the Families First Network of Lakeview.

The run starts at Hot Spot Cigars and Coffee, 5155 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview, and finishes at Split Oaks Saloon, 892 W. James Lee Blvd.Registration begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the start site.The cost is $15 per rider, and $5 for an additional poker hand.

We've already seen how the club helps the organization, members said. A large portion of the $1,700 accumulated from last year's fundraiser helped bring 3-year-old Emmanuel Menz back home, according to Families First representative Mary Culbertson.

The boy was kidnapped March 6 from a South Ferdon Boulevard fast food restaurant, according to Crestview police.

Club funds paid for airfare after authorities recovered Emmanuel and his alleged kidnappers in Henderson, Nev. Karl Menz and Virgina Lynch are in custody in connection with the case after an almost month-long search.

"We paid for the social worker to go up there and pick (the boy) up (and bring him back)," David "Pothole" Trafford, event organizer, said.

For Saturday's run, participants can make five stops, select a five-card hand and earn prizes for the best and worst poker hand. During the final stop at Split Oaks Saloon, there will be a raffle, 50-50 auction, live music and food.

In addition, nearly $30,000 worth of prizes, donated by area restaurants and businesses will  be available, Trafford said.

•••

Relay For Life

Crestview’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life organizers are still accepting last-minute team sign-ups and sponsors for this weekend's main event.

Thirty-seven teams and 269 participants have been raising funds for months with yard sales and other activities in preparation for the main event, which takes place Friday through Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m., at Shoal River Middle School, 3200 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview.

“The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love,” Loney Whitley, the local fundraiser’s event co-chair, said.

The event will include an opening ceremony, live music, a luminaria ceremony commemorating those affected by cancer, food, a spirit points competition and closing ceremonies at 6 a.m. Through the event, residents can walk a track in support of fighting cancer and funding research.

Contact event co-chairs Megan Bowersox, 603- 2002, or Loney Whitley, 603-3500, for more details.

•••

Healthy Kids Day

The Crestview YMCA will present health awareness activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

Healthy Kids Day will feature a bouncy house and blood donation vehicle; admission is free. 

"Healthy Kids Day is the Y's national initiative to improve the health and well-being of families, featuring fun, active play and educational activities to help kids be healthy and reach their full potential," an event spokesperson said.

The event precedes the YMCA's Family Strong Festival, a fundraiser scheduled for 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Old Warrior Ranch, 3229 Audrey Drive, between Auburn and Garden City.

Tickets cost $5 each and are free for children under 3 years old. Tickets are available at the gate or at the YMCA.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Poker run, Relay For Life and Healthy Kids Day among NWF events

CRESTVIEW — Crestview Police Department officers will host a Drug Take Back Initiative 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Northwest Florida residents and area visitors can turn in their unused or expired medication during those four hours. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites–liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted.

Other drop off sites scheduled the same date and time are:

•Satellite Pharmacy, 1758 Memorial Way, Eglin Air Force Base, adjacent to the base's Class Six/BX.

•1st Special Ops Security Forces Squad will accept medications at the Commissary, 114 Howie Walters Road, Hurlburt Field.

These take back events help prevent pill abuse and theft by letting people rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. Since the Drug Enforcement Administration's first event in September 2010, the public has surrendered more than 3.4 million pounds of pills.

Unused medications in homes are highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, theft, misuse, and abuse.

Surveys of users have found that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

To find other  nearby collection sites, visit the DEA website, click the “Got Drugs?” icon, and enter your location; or call 800-882-9539. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Drug take back set Saturday at Crestview Community Center, bases

Daughters of the American Revolution Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter members Joyce Harrington and Patti Cogdal recently recognized a volunteer who has surpassed expectations.

Marcus J. Michles II, of the Michles Family Freedom Foundation, earned Community Service and Flag Award Certificates during an April 11 ceremony honoring American patriotism, military and first responders.

The DAR National Society Board of Management established the Community Service Awards Committee in April 1995 so states and chapters could recognize worthy individuals for outstanding voluntary achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical, citizenship or environmental conservation endeavors.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local DAR chapter recognizes Pensacola lawyer for volunteerism

The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center has been awarded re-accreditation status by the National Children’s Alliance.

The accreditation validates that evidence-based methods are being practiced, denoting excellence in service provision, and is the National Children’s Alliance's highest membership level.

NCA, the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers throughout the country, awards various accreditation and membership levels to centers responding effectively to child abuse allegations.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center earns re-accreditation

I want to introduce our library to all Crestview, Baker, Laurel Hill and Holt area households.

OCPLC network

We are a member of the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative, with libraries in Crestview, Niceville, Mary Esther, Valparaiso, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and the Library Spot lending machine in Baker.

All six libraries offer free library cards for Okaloosa County residents, usable at each OCPLC site.

All you need to get a library card is a photo ID, proof of your current street address (such as a driver’s license, voter registration form or utility bill) and a telephone number.

Services

Libraries are a good investment, whether from a user or taxpayer's view.

After all, our libraries provide services for everyone. You can feel safe and relaxed while reading newspapers and magazines, finding books on interesting subjects or finding audio books, music CDs and movies on DVD.

Free Internet access can connect you to government information, job searches and business opportunities, and you can bring the kids to story time activities to help them become literate.

We have meeting spaces, reserved at minimal cost, that accommodate small or medium-sized groups.

Take the tour

Our library has become the community's go-to place for information and entertainment. On any given day, you can come here and find wonderful displays of art, including paintings or three-dimensional pieces; or find groups and clubs with various interests like photography, writing and knitting.

Plan on visiting us! We would love to give you the grand tour and get you started as a library member.

We're located at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Our hours are Mondays through Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: An introduction to the Crestview Public Library

The National Association of Letter Carriers' 22nd Annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 10 will help North Okaloosa food banks restock their pantries.

To participate, place your nonperishable, unexpired food donation in a bag beside your mailbox early that morning. U.S. Post Office letter carriers will pick up your donations as they make regular mail deliveries and take them to local food banks.

Needed food items include quick meals like macaroni, spaghetti, soups, canned meats, peanut butter, canned juice, canned fruits, canned vegetables, baby food and cereal.

Local food bank participants include:

•Raymond Williams Missions Center OKA Food Pantry, 850-398-6760, 404 West James Lee, Crestview

•Sharing and Caring OKA Food Pantry, 850-682-1907, 298 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview

Visit the United Way Esca-Rosa website, click "Find Services" and type "food pantry" for a list of additional food bank participants.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stamp Out Hunger food drive is May 10