Shopping & Services

Middle Georgia Operation Christmas Child Donations Increase

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011, 12:14pm

Middle Georgia Operation Christmas Child Donations Increase

Middle Georgia collected 61,059 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child this year.

That's according to Collection Center Coordinator Elaine Barfield in Byron.

That's 6,000 more shoebox donations than in 2010.

In the four years she has volunteered for Operation Christmas Child in Byron, Barfield says she's seen an increase in donations each year.

When asked what contributes to the growth in donations, Barfield says, "God."

"I pray, volunteers pray. When God sees we're doing his work, he blesses it."

The efforts extend beyond Byron. Volunteers and donations come from twenty-two counties in Middle Georgia.

Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes of toys and gifts to be sent to children in need overseas.

Barfield says they sent Middle Georgia's donations to the processing center in Atlanta, where they will be sorted by boy/girl and age groups the first week of December.

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Operation Christmas Child: Byron Drop-Off Point

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Friday, November 18th, 2011, 6:10pm

Operation Christmas Child: Byron Drop-Off Point

Byron United Methodist Church is serving as a drop-off location in Byron for Operation Christmas Child—the World’s Largest Christmas Project of its kind.

Local volunteers are busy preparing collection sites around the city to receive some 58,100 gift-filled shoe boxes, packed by caring Byron residents with toys, school supplies and necessity items for kids in 100 countries.

Drop off shoebox gifts during National Collection Week—November 14 through November 21 Byron United Methodist Church is located at 103 W. Heritage Blvd. You can drop off your shoebox daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturdays are 10-1 and Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 6.

Additional locations can be found online.

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Safety Tips for Holiday Shoppers

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011, 5:06pm

Shop with a group- Criminals will most likely not target large groups.
Don’t carry a purse if possible; put your identification, checks, debit/credit cards in your pocket. This way you will not leave your purse unattended and not a target for a snatch and grab.
Park under lights or as close to them as possible.
Shop early.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash on your person.
Have designated meeting points and times for family members.
Have your cell phones.

--Bibb County Sheriff's Office

If you see something suspicious call your local law enforcement agency or 911.

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Trick-or-Treat on Byron's Main Street

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Thursday, October 20th, 2011, 3:41pm

Dawn your Halloween costumes and head over to Main St. where you can trick-or-treat and compete in the Halloween contest.

Nightmare on Main is on Monday, October 31st from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

You can also sign up to hand out candy along Main Street by calling Regina at 478-956-5555.

(it's going to be a hoot!)

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Chili Fest: Taste and Judge This Weekend

Submitted by Jacqueline Harnevious, 13WMAZ Community Web Producer

Monday, October 17th, 2011, 4:00pm

Chili Fest: Taste and Judge This Weekend

The Battle of Byron Chili Fest is here this Saturday!

From 2-9 p.m. at Jailhouse Park in Downtown Byron, you can pay $5 to taste (and judge) all the chili during the cookoff!

Registration to compete in the cook off has been extended until October 19.

The cookoff is from 3-4 p.m.

Winners take home cash.

Entertainment includes Southern Nites Band & DJ Tiger Smith.

There will also be a JAIL n BAIL for the FUN of it.

Jail n Bail is where you can have a friend locked up for $2.

You'll find egg roll contests, pumpkin-coloring for kids, three-legged races, sack races, cake walks, banana relays, musical chairs, egg toss, pie in your face, arts & crafts, food vendors, and much more!

$10 registration fee for Battle of Byron IDOL.

Karaoke contest begins at 5 p.m.

The winner takes home $50.

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