
Berkeley Independent
Students from J.K. Gourdin and St. Stephen elementary schools recently collected and mailed care packages to nine soldiers stationed overseas.
Included in the packages were assortments of snacks, books and magazines, Christmas stockings, a pillow and fleece blanket.
Although the students do not know the soldiers who are getting these gifts, there is a connection to Berkeley County Schools. Several of the soldiers, Michael Scharfenberg, Selina Green, and Dale Chandler Gaskins, are sons and daughters of Berkeley County School District nurses. The students first learned of these soldiers around Veterans Day when they were asked to adopt a soldier and write letters to them.
The letters were sent to the soldiers and copies were hung around the school as part of the annual Veterans Day program. During the program these soldiers were honored through a video tribute, which allowed the students to put a face with a name.
Many local businesses stepped in with donations and monetary contributions to cover the cost of shipping. Through the generous donations from Roseburg Forest Products Particleboard of Russellville, Maxx’s Glass of Moncks Corner, Greg Gaudig of Regional Finance in Moncks Corner, Ginger and Butch Ethridge of Bonneau, Jim and Celeste Strode of Swamp Fox Bowling Center in Moncks Corner, Brandi and Carl Gibson of Moncks Corner, Point North Community Church of Moncks Corner, and the staff and students at J. K. Gourdin Elementary, St. Stephen Elementary, and St. Stephen Middle Schools, 34 care packages were mailed. Plans are already in the works to send packages for Valentine’s Day.
Belle Isle Garden Club
The Belle Isle Garden Club meeting was held on Jan. 5, with Betty and Margaret Gourdin and Betty Williamson hostesses.
Kathy Woolsey of Cypress Gardens was the guest speaker. The programs’ focus was flower design workshops with some very interesting and helpful ideas on the many different types of arrangements and setups individuals and/or groups may create.
The workshop coincides with the upcoming public flower show to be conducted at Cypress Gardens on March 6 – 7.
Sylvia Daniels provided information to attendees about the upcoming Garden Tea that will be held at the Belle Isle Presbyterian Church on Saturday April 10 between 2 and 4 p.m. More information on the Tea will be provided at a later date.
Save the Date of the Mad Hatter Party
Remember to support the women’s party being facilitated by the St. Philip Benezi and Our Lady of Peace Women’s Guilds on Feb. 13, from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Our Lady of Peace Hall in Bonneau.
Women are encouraged to make their own hat(s) and be outrageous. Prizes will be awarded, and the judging will be done by all persons in attendance.
Dinner will also be provided and a donation of $8 is suggested for the meal. Proceeds will benefit the seminarian fund and the women’s guilds.
Transportation and babysitting will be provided to persons desirous of assistance, at no cost. Babysitting will take place at the St. Philip Benezi Hall.
Interested persons may RSVP to Diane or Mary for dinner and babysitting services at 761-3777, or Joanna for dinner and transportation at 899-4995. You may also contact the coordinators by emailing to joannajbentley@gmail.com, diane@spbcc.or or mary@spbcc.org.
Get Well Wishes
We continue to pray for our many area residents that are ill, shut-in, or on the mend. Known to us are Henry Wigfall, Viola Middleton, Deacon Clarence Judge, Virgie Halback, Stanley Williams, Melvin Wiggins, Keith Mustapher, the mother of Ora Blanding, Myrtle Murrell, Lillie Whitten, Ernestine G. Williams, Ernestine M. Williams, Lillian Williams, the Rev. Edmund Mazyck, Joyce Dingle, Lydia Greene, Annie L. Crawford, Suzie Pentecost, Juanita Singleton, Teddy Wigfall and the husband of Tracy Redfearn.
Items of Interest
Send items of interest to Yvonne J. Barnes, 1458 Colonel Maham Drive, Pineville, SC 29468. Telephone (843) 567-4182 or email ybarnes@homesc.com.
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