Call it Christmas come early for this community, thanks to the fifth annual GivingTuesday campaign of the Cumberland Community Foundation. “This year, we raised $2.347 million in 10 days,” says Maddie Kellogg, donor services manager with the foundation. “Last year, we raised $1.966 million. In addition to the $2.347 million raised, the match is $532,500 this year,” Kellogg says about the more than half million dollar match provided by the Fayetteville New Car Dealers Association, Elizabeth “Beth” Keeney, Daphne and Ray Manning, Carol and Sammy Short, Will Gillis, three anonymous donors, unrestricted endowments of the CCF and the CCF board of directors. “This offers great support for our wonderful nonprofits,” Kellogg says about the 3,620 gifts from donors that generated $2,880,346.99 to be distributed to 78 charities and an increase of 14.02% over 2023. “The people of Cumberland County are incredibly generous. We have wonderful, generous people who care about this community.”
Mary Holmes, CCF president and chief executive officer, offers not only praise for foundation staff members Kendra Murray, the CCF grants manager; Tara Martin, program coordinator; and Marie Milton, CCF finance assistant; but also for GivingTuesday campaign givers. “Remember, this all happened in a 10-day giving window,” Holmes says. “This is a great demonstration of what we already know – Fayetteville is one of the most generous communities in North Carolina.” The GivingTuesday campaign, Kellogg says, has generated $10,608,123.91 since it began in 2020.
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“Driving under the influence is deadly and illegal, and it should never be an option for getting home,” Mark Ezzell, director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program, says in a news release about the statewide “Holiday Booze It & Lose It” campaign that is enforced from Dec. 16-Jan. 5 in all 100 statewide counties. “We want everyone to enjoy the joy-filled holiday season, but we want everyone to do so responsibly. There are many available choices for a safe ride home; impaired driving is never the answer.” If you plan to operate a motor vehicle, no alcohol, no drugs or other impairing substances. Sound advice.
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Five shopping days remain before old Saint Nick harnesses Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph, the reindeer with the red nose, for Santa’s annual midnight ride.
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Don’t forget to leave Santa a glass of milk and cookies, the elves from the North Pole remind, before you head to bed on Christmas Eve.
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Don’t forget the AA and AAA batteries for that gift under the tree.
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Don’t just write “Merry Christmas” in your holiday card and sign your name to those you love. Say something, Mama always taught me, from your heart about what they mean to your life. You’ll likely find that card one day in a cedar chest or special place, when you least expect it, along your life’s journey. Your words, I promise, will be just as meaningful over time as when you penned them.
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That recent winter cold spell took a toll worse than a ShamWow on the heating oil in my outside oil drum.
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A 24-year man is discovered suffering from a gunshot wound when Fayetteville Police officers respond to a 911 call at 4:08 a.m. on Dec. 14 in the 6500 Amanda Circle area of west Fayetteville. The victim, the FPD says, later died at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The fatal shooting, according to the FPD, is the 24th homicide in the city of 2024.
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“We’re thrilled to bring this program back to the airwaves,” WIDU co-owner Sandy Cookman says in a news release about the 1600 AM radio station relaunching “Let’s Talk Education” to be hosted by 2025 Cumberland County Schools Principal of the Year Shanessa Fenner and former E.E. Smith High School and Duke University basketball standout Robert Brickey. “Education impacts everyone, and ‘Let’s Talk Education’ is a platform to spark important conversations and keep our listeners informed.” The first broadcast is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday. All broadcasts, the release states, will be broadcast live on the WIDU Facebook page.
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Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. and members of his Cumberland County Schools administrative team caught Saundra McNeill off guard Tuesday by converging on her office at Central Services, where McNeill, who is manager of student assignment, was surprised with the 2024 Dr. Joseph Locklear-Ricky Lopes Central Services Employee of the Year award. “I was very shocked when they walked into my office, because I’ve done this for a long time, and I don’t do it for recognition,” a tearful McNeill is quoted in a news release. “It’s great to be appreciated, but I just like to help people when I can.” McNeill has been at her job for 16 years, the release states, and with the school systems for 31 years.
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The Cumberland County Board of Education has approved Tianna O’Brien to succeed the retiring Felix Keyes as principal at E. Melvin Honeycutt Elementary School, according to a news release. O’Brien, with 14 years of education experience, currently is principal at J.W. Coon Elementary School. O’Brien earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2010 from the UNC-Pembroke and her master’s in school administration in 2016 from Fayetteville State University.
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“We are proud of our students and teachers for coming together to support these worthy causes,” Cumberland Polytechnic High School Principal CPHS Niesha Witherspoon says in a news release about the Student Government Association’s annual Jail-a-thon event on Nov. 26 that raised $1,131 and collected 700 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank in Cumberland County and 760 pounds of food for Victory Junction in Randolph County. “This event was a great opportunity for the school community to give back while having fun. We’re grateful to everyone who participated, donated and made this event such a success.” Second Harvest Food Bank is a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating hunger in communities. Victory Junction, located in Randleman and in memory of the late Adam Petty, son of stock car racing’s Kyle Petty and grandson of Richard Petty, provides camp experiences for children with chronic illnesses.
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Gilbert Baez, 70, takes his leave from WRAL TV on Jan. 3 after 17 years with the Capitol Broadcasting flagship television state in Raleigh, and where Baez served as the Fayetteville bureau chief. Viewers found him reporting on everything in this community from crime and hurricanes to Fort Liberty soldiers deploying overseas and returning home. Baez had a commanding presence as a reporter. He knew the right questions to ask, and how to ask those questions. Gilbert Baez will not be easily replaced.
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Downtown visionaries Jan Johnson and Pat Wright are stepping away as owners of GroundSwell Pictures, the nonprofit behind the annual Indigo Moon Film Festival. “We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” Johnson and Wright say in a joint news release. “From establishing the Indigo Moon Film Festival as a cherished cultural event to supporting countless filmmakers, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now, we look forward to seeing fresh perspectives and new ideas shape the future of GroundSwell Pictures.” Brandon Plotnick and Erika Forbes, according to the release, assume leadership of GroundSwell Pictures on Jan. 1. “Jan and Pat have left big shoes to fill,” Forbes says in the release, “but I’m so excited we get to continue bringing their vision to this community.” Big shoes to fill would be an understatement. If ever there have been two women with a passion for the arts, film and this community, it would be Jan Johnson and Pat Wright.
Coming Sunday: The most serene night of the year
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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