Saturday, November 23, was Family Volunteer Day for Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County. There were quite a few families who joined in with individuals and groups providing volunteer hours in support of Caring and Sharing’s community service efforts. They may have started earlier collecting non-perishable food items at their schools or to personally donate, and then came out to Oriole Beach Elementary School in Gulf Breeze to help sort and pack donated food items into boxes for families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday break. “Seeing families and youth energized about volunteering is a magnificent sight, to realize together how we can support the communities in which we live and make a difference,” said Ann Thompson, Caring & Sharing President. “Something as a long-time volunteer to the non-profit and the Assistant Principal at Holley-Navarre Intermediate, it excites me to think about how the organization can instill in others a lifelong commitment to volunteering.” If you didn’t have the time to volunteer, don’t be discouraged. There are many ways to help! A second opportunity for volunteers to donate is during Caring and Sharing’s next community outreach scheduled for Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14, at the West Navarre Intermediate School. Older students may want to increase service hours for high school graduation or on college entry forms. Consider making a monetary contribution or giving food and toys towards December distribution. Donation drop-off locations are throughout Santa Rosa County. You may drop-off (canned food and/or new, unwrapped toys) at Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Navarre Chamber of Commerce, Oak Ridge Gun Range, or St Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church prior to Friday, December 14. These types of donations require less time, and are incredibly valuable to the success of the nonprofit’s holiday distributions and they are tax deductible. The organization goal continues to be met by such a united community that continues to bring the spirit of giving during the holidays to others struggling to make ends meet. For more information, visit their website: www.santarosacares.org and www.facebook.com/Caringandsharingsantarosacounty. Financial contributions are welcome and tax deductible and can be mailed to: Caring and Sharing of South Santa Rosa County, Inc., P.O. Box 5521, Navarre, Florida 32566.
Submitted by: Robyn S. Philips, Caring & Sharing Publicity Liaison
