It’s Time to Pack a Shoebox for “Operation Christmas Child” (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

November 14, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County residents have the opportunity to donate to the National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child, beginning Monday, November 15 through Monday, November 22.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million shoeboxes to children in over 170 countries and territories.

For many of these children, the gift filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. Also, to help offset shipping costs, participants are asked to donate $9 per shoebox gift. They will receive a tracking label, enabling them to learn the destination of their shoebox gift.

The drop-off/relay center for this area is located at the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church, 967 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee, and is a convenient place for churches, clubs, schools, businesses, and individuals to bring their filled shoe boxes.

The local drop off center will be open, as follows:
*Monday, November 15 through Friday, November 19 – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
* Saturday, November 20 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Sunday, November 21 – 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*Monday, November 22 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

You may select from the above dates and hours to deliver your filled shoe boxes to the center.

This holiday season you can experience the true meaning of Christmas with a child in need by simply packing your shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other small gifts. During this Coronavirus Pandemic: Now, more than ever, CHILDREN NEED HOPE.

For further information please contact:
Sue Puckett:
615/597-7325 (home)
615/464-7700 (cell)suepuckett@dtccom.net (e-mail)

For more information, including guidelines for shoebox gifts and an option to virtually “Build a Box,” visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

November 13, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The American Cancer Society invites you to make a special donation in honor or in memory of a loved one during the holiday season through “Love Lights a Tree”.

Love Lights a Tree Form  (PDF)

A brand new special memory board will be made by shop classes at DeKalb County High School to replace the older one which has been used for many years. The board will be placed on the south side of the courthouse by Saturday, December 4 in time for the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square. Again the board will list the names of loved ones. This year high school students will be volunteering their time to put the names on the board so those wanting to honor or remember someone by having a name placed on the board are urged to make a donation of $5.00 per name as soon as possible so it can be displayed by the time the board is erected.

Iva Dell Randolph, who heads up the Love Lights Tree fundraiser, said she appreciates the help of teachers and students in the DCHS Career Technical Education Programs including Director Brad Leach.

“We are going to have a new board this year. We are glad to have the shop classes at the high school building the board for us. It was time to replace the one we have had for many years. We are also happy that some of the students have volunteered to put the names on the board for us this year. I urge everyone to help us get as many names as we can on the board now before it goes up by December 4 ,” said Randolph.

“We hope to count on your continued support for Love Lights A Tree again this year and we certainly appreciate all you have done in the past. It’s a good way to remember those who have gone on before us and to honor those still with us,” said Randolph.

The names are in “honor of” and in “memory of” for a donation of five-dollars per name. Forms may be obtained at the local banks. For more information, contact Iva Dell Randolph at 615- 597-5296, Melanie Judkins at 615-464-7664, Renea Cantrell at 615-684-2688, or Gail Taylor 615-597-5936.

The DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society seeks your support in the “Love Lights a Tree” fundraising campaign to raise money for research to find a cure as well as cancer education and patient services. Donations may be made throughout the holiday season. The persons you honor or remember do not necessarily have to have suffered from cancer.

Randolph also wishes to recognize local churches and businesses who supported Relay For Life even though there was no Relay in 2021 nor 2020 due to the pandemic.

“Even though we didn’t have Relay for Life some churches and businesses gave their sponsorship anyway. Thanks so much”

Wilson Bank & Trust, Smithville First Baptist Church, B & G Supply Company, Snow Hill Baptist Church, American Legion POST 122, Salem Baptist Church, New West Point Free Will Baptist Church, Caldwell’s Drug Store, the DeKalb County Retired Teachers Association and an anonymous business plus several individuals.

“Thanks to all who donated. We hope to have Relay for Life at Green Brook Park next year,” said Randolph.

Love Lights a Tree Form  (PDF)

November 13, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

An early morning fire Friday destroyed a home on Corinth Church Road in the Belk community leaving a family of three homeless.

Lieutenant Matt Adcock of the DeKalb County Fire Department said the residents, Marty and Tamara Hensley and their teenage son Elijah escaped from their burning home through a window without any serious injuries. The family dogs perished in the blaze.

Lt. Adcock said the call came in at 1:23 a.m. Friday. “ We were paged out to a structure fire at 2189 Corinth Church Road. We arrived to find that the home was already engulfed in flames and couldn’t be saved. The Hensley’s had been asleep when the fire started but their son awoke and discovered it. He then woke his parents. They at first tried to escape through the front door but could not so they got out through a window. One of them suffered a minor scrape and was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS. The cause of the fire is undetermined,” said Lt. Adcock.

The family lost all their belongings in the fire except the clothes on their backs. American Red Cross volunteers came to the scene to arrange help and shelter for the Hensley’s.

Members of the Belk, Short Mountain, Keltonburg , and Four Seasons fire stations responded with Tanker 1 along with DeKalb EMS and the Sheriff’s Department.

Firefighters were called back to the scene at 10:41 a.m. after the fire rekindled.