1st Annual Operation Bamberg County Santa a success

Lisa B. Stokes, Contributing Writer

Jerome “Romey” Smalls, the organizer of the first annual Operation Bamberg County Santa exceeded all of Smalls’ expectations. The event was held at the Crosby Wellness Center on Saturday, December 11th from noon until 4 p.m. Families enjoyed music, food, activities and fellowship.

Smalls said because of the generosity of family, friends, and even strangers, every family that was represented at the bicycle giveaway received a bicycle. Smalls said 70 bicycles were donated for the event. When the lottery style giveaway was over, Smalls was surprised that there were seven bicycles left. He donated those bikes to a bicycle club that is hosting a charity Christmas event this weekend.

Smalls said along with all of his volunteers and donors, he is very appreciative of Arlene Sease and Blain Crosby for donating the Wellness Center for the event. Everything thing just came together so quickly. People donated all of the food and funds for activities, said Smalls. “I am already working on next year’s event that I know will be bigger and better,” he noted.

If anyone would like to take part in Operation Santa Bamberg County 2011, contact Smalls by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 803.767.3285.

First Steps

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

In the spirit of Christmas, a number of people attending the Bamberg County Community Holiday Choral Concert Thursday night, at the Dane Theatre in Denmark, sponsored by the Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce, Denmark Technical College, the City of Denmark and Voorhees College made monetary donations and donations of can goods to the Bamberg County First Steps Partnership’s “Santa’s Little Helpers Toy & Food Drive” Program.

On Friday morning, Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce Co-President Jerry Bell presented Paulette Plowden-Executive Director of Bamberg County First Steps with funds and can goods collected at the concert.

SC Families First

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Bamberg County Department of Social Services is pleased to announce a new service for families receiving child welfare services in Bamberg. Thanks to the Greater Savannah River Foundation, funds are available through a Health Grant to bring family group conferencing (FGC) services to families.

Family group conferencing is an inclusive and informal process of making and implementing a plan that safeguards children and youth involved with the Department of Social Services. At the center of the planning is the “family group,” encompassing the immediate family as well as their relatives, friends, members of the family’s faith community and other informal ties.

“Their programmatic goal to retain connections for the child to those adults in the community is the essence of the Department of Social Services’ mission to facilitate family reunification,” County Director for Bamberg County DSS, Anita Butler said.

Science Visits

Jerry Durgan, Contributing Writer

On Tuesday, December 14th, Denmark-Olar High School’s science department was visited by the Greenwood Genetics Mobile Unit -- “The Gene Machine”.

“We are so thrilled to be able to provide this genetics laboratory experience to students all across South Carolina,” said Leta Tribble, PhD, Director of Education at the Center. “Genetics and biotechnology are rapidly growing fields of study. With this mobile laboratory we can provide the opportunity to students in our State to have first-hand exposure to the vast technologies used in the medical genetics arena.”

Decoration Judging

The Garden Club Decoration winners have been announced.

Commercial: 1st Place - Home Federal Savings & Loan
2nd Place – Trantham’s Tax Service.

Neighborhood: Wren, Capernaum and Canary Streets.

Overall: 1st Place – Mr. and Mrs. Joe Breland
2nd Place – Mr. and Mrs. Norman Hoffman
3rd Place – Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lott.