On Dec. 6, the Central Santa Rosa County Republican Club held its annual Christmas celebration, and from all accounts, it was very successful. The club donated more than $500 to purchase gifts for local senior citizens in assisted care centers and for children who will be spending their Christmas in the hospital. A matching donation was given by club member and businessman Jeff Kelley of Champion Drywall, on U.S. 90 in Pace. With the aforementioned donation, 40 names were selected from the Angel Tree in the front entrance of Wal-Mart’s Pace store. The Beall’s store in Milton is where 33 presents were purchased, wrapped and taken to the local hospital for delivery to children for a Christmas away from home. The evening’s center piece was the trio Redeemed, whose members are William B. Wight, Danny Cook and Richard Gundersen from Bible Way Baptist Church of Milton. They provided many beautiful Christmas songs along with patriotic music and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Taylor Cook, grandson of a Redeemed singer. During the celebrations, many door prizes were handed out. Sing-alongs were an enjoyable part of the evening, as were short discourses on Christmases past and present presented by W. Charles Miller, club president, and Jeff Kelley, past president. A very import seasonal safety message was presented by John E. Reble, chief of the Milton Fire Department. The evening closed with the singing of “America the Beautiful” and a closing prayer delivered by Richard Gundersen of Redeemed. The club meets on first Thursdays for a no-host meal at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting to start at 6:30 p.m. at the Red Barn on U.S. 90 Milton. The public is invited. For more information, contact W. Charles Miller at 292-8264 or w.charlesmiller@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Republican Club has Christmas celebration