MLK Banquet scheduled Jan. 16 Love Feeds, Inc., presents the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet at 7 p.m., Friday, January 16 at C.C. McCray City Auditorium, 865 Pendleton Street.
Theme is “Dream. Act. Change.”
Keynote speaker is Kimberlyn Carter, Executive Director of Represent Georgia. The nonpartisan organization is committed to recruiting, training, and developing leaders across the state.
Tickets are $50 and available by calling Shawn Taylor at (912) 614-4339, Marian Solomon-Gaines at 2881844 or Linda Gale at 282-9340.
Christmas Market Dec. 13 in Manor The annual Manor Christmas Market will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, December 13 at the Community Center, 4650 Manor Millwood Road.
There will be vendors, kids crafts, a chili cookoff and tree-lighting ceremony. Call (912) 337-4624 for more information.
Posh Avenues has free toys Dec. 20 Posh Avenues holds its annual Christmas Toy Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, December 20 at 1200 E. Blackshear Avenue.
Santa Claus will be on hand to help distribute toys on a first-come, firstserved basis while they last. Children who receive the gifts must be present with an adult or guardian.
Swamp Park opens Holiday Light Show Okefenokee Swamp Park, 5700 Swamp Park Road, has opened its annual Holiday Light Show, later this month.
Cost is $14 for ages 13up an $12 for those 4-12. Children 3-under are free.
Dates are Friday-Sunday, December 11-14, 1823 and 26-28. Trips on the Swamp Park show train are held from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hot cocoa and s’mores will be available. For more information, check okeswamp.org.
MSH has blood drive Dec. 12
Memorial Satilla Health partners with The Blood Connection for a donor drive frm 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, December 12 on the hospital’s Main Campus, 1900 Tebeau Street.
Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to ensure the drive is sufficiently staffed and all donor slots are filled. To schedule an appointment, visit thebloodconnection. org and use sponsor code 9391.
TBC is offering $40 in rewards to donors. The Hospital Auxiliary will give one lucky donor $100 and two donors will win a $500 grand donor prize.
Beverages and homemade goodies and snacks are available for donors.
Legion Post 517 to meet Dec. 17 American Legion John S. Sutton Post 517, 710 Dorothy Street, holds its monthly meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, December 17.
All military veterans and members are invited to attend. For information, call or text Post Commander Larry Lockey at (912) 816-8581.
Santa’s Workshop for children at SWF Southern Forest World, 1440 N. Augusta Avenue, will hold Santa’s Workshop, at 9 a.m., Saturday, December 13.
Children will be able to choose from a variety of gifts priced up to $10 from local vendors on site.
Gift wrapping will be available.
Coffee, community meetup Thursdays The Satilla Riverkeeper is sponsoring a coffee and community group meetup at 8 a.m. the second Thursday of every month at Laura S. Walker State Park.
Next meeting is December 11. Grab your favorite beverage and join others for a casual hike through the park. It’s a perfect chance to connect with neighbors, enjoy the outdoors, and get moving with others.
Registration is available by visiting https://forms.gle/NK3on kdEFYSFSnfL7.
There is a $5 parking fee at the park.
OHC writer’s group has new schedule The Okefenokee Heritage Center’s OHC Writers has a new meeting schedule.
Meetings will be from 4 to 6 p.m the third Tuesday of each month at 1460 N. Augusta Avenue.
Writers of all experience levels and genres are welcome. For more information, email [email protected], visit OHC Writers on Facebook or call (912) 285 4260.
TOPS meets every Thurs. at 6:30 p.m.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a non-profit weight loss support group that meets on Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, 601 Hill Street, Waycross.
Weigh-in is 6-6:25 p.m. every Thursday. The meeting starts at 6:30. For information, call 2817008 or 281-5388.
Smyrna Cemetery seeks donations Smyrna Cemetery Association is seeking donations for upkeep of the grounds and church.
Donations may be made to the Smyrna Cemetery Association and mailed to Barbara Norris, 601 Buck Lake Road, Nahunta, 31533.
Contributions also may be dropped off at First Bank, 13792 Cleveland Street, Nahunta or online at https://smyrnacemetery. com. Call C.R. Lynn at (912) 281-1044 with questions.
Chamber seeks hosts for events The Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce is compiling its list of hosts for its Rise ‘n’ Shine and Business After Hours meetings for 2026.
Rise ‘n’ Shine is held at 7:45 a.m. and Business After Hours at 5 p.m., each once every month.
Businesses interested in being a host for one or both of the events in the coming year can email chamber@waycrosschamber. org.
OATH changes operating hours The Okefenokee Alliance for the Homeless has changed its hours.
The new hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays. Lunch is served to homeless clients from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Daily hours 1-5 p.m. are by appointment only. The facility previously was open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
All recovery meetings in partnership with The Trust are held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Persons should ring the front door bell for admittance.
For more information or for appointments, call (912) 816 4399.
Breakfast & bingo at Ware Rec. Dept.
The Ware County Recreation Department is offering breakfast and bingo for senior citizens each Wednesday and Friday at the Trembling Earth Sports Complex, 2100 Cecil Brown Drive.
A continental breakfast will be available at 8:30 a.m. followed by bingo at 9 a.m. For information, call the rec department at (912) 287-4488 or 2874491.
