Hundreds of Sumter families gather for supplies at event Motorcycle club with local chapter gives out essentials for 2nd time BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2014
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
Needy families in Sumter got a little assistance from the STAR Touring and Riding Association motorcycle club and Feed the Children, as members of STAR and other volunteers handed out boxes of food and other necessities at Bethesda Church of God on Broad Street on Saturday morning. Shane Kreuzer, president of STAR Chapter No. 466, the local chapter, said the nine chapters of the cycle club, a national organization based in Phoenix, have banded together and raised KREUZER money to help needy families since the club started. “This is a multi-chapter event,” Kreuzer said. “All the chapters have contributed monies from fundraisers to make this happen, for a Feed the Children food truck to come here.” As recipients drove into the church parking lot, they showed volunteers a voucher and then drove on to areas where pallets of pink, blue and green boxes were loaded into their vehicles. In most cases, the recipients did not even have to get out of their vehicles. Kreuzer said this is the second time the club has held a food distribution in Sumter, having done it before in 2010. “We do it here in Sumter because of the need,” he said. “There are a lot of needy families in this area. We are also associated with the delivery of Christmas gifts for needy children on Shaw Air Force Base, and we saw the need in this area.” He said they contacted Bethesda Church of God, which confirmed the need.
5 SECTIONS, 36 PAGES | VOL. 120, NO. 35
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Swampcats can’t clear Hammond hurdle B1 BUSINESS
Pediatric doctor begins her own ‘old-fashioned’ practice in Sumter D1
JIM HILLEY / THE SUMTER ITEM
Color-coded boxes await delivery to families in need on Saturday morning at Bethesda Church of God. STAR Touring and Riding Association motorcycle club’s local Chapter No. 466, with the help of other chapters of the national organization and Feed the Children, used the church as a collection site for families to receive boxes of essentials.
SEE BOXES, PAGE A9
DEATHS, A9 Dorothy R. Miller Robert W. Burkett Marion A. Jefferson Sr. Larry Moses
Milton Dow Ruthie M. Timmons Ethel Mae Whitaker
WEATHER, A12 RAINY END TO YOUR WEEKEND Heavy rain and a thunderstorm possible throughout the day and night HIGH 64, LOW 60
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‘When they’re at our house, they’re our children’ Couple cared for dozens of foster children at their home during 25-year span BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com The Castleberry household was always busy when their children were growing up. That’s because during a 25-year period, the Sumter couple took in about 40 foster children, nearly 20 exchange students, had four biological children and two “forever” children with special needs. “Several still stay in touch,” Robert Castleberry said. “I endorse it (foster care) if people believe in it. It’s very clearly not for everyone. You should not feel compelled. It’s got to be a fit for you personally, or find another way to give back. There are many. This one worked for us.” His wife, Fran Castleberry, agreed.
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The Castleberry family gathers for a party. Robert and Fran Castleberry have cared for more than 40 children during a 25-year period. “It’s really not for everyone, and it’s not something we did for recognition,” she said.
BLESSINGS The couple talked about fostering or adopting before they got married, and Fran said she always knew she wanted to be a mom. They started fostering in 1983 after
settling in Sumter with a house that had the room. At the time, their biological children were 2, 4 and 8. “All of a sudden, we had a teenager,” Robert said. “I called home and told my mother, ‘I apologize for everything I ever did to you.’”
SEE CARE, PAGE A11
Chamber encourages you to Shop Small Saturday, win prizes BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com So you don’t feel like getting up before dawn to hit the Black Friday sales at the chain stores. No problem. Hit up your local businesses the next day and maybe win a gift card to your favorite store.
American Express started Small Business Saturday and now enlists “Community Partners” such as Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce to help promote the campaign. Community partners receive promotional materials such as shopping bags, welcome mats, pens, stickers, balloons, banners and buttons.
“Local businesses are the heart and soul of our community, and Shop Small Saturday is one way to bring attention to all the wonderful local businesses we have and the great variety of things that can be bought locally,” said Nicole Milligan, vice president of membership development for the local chamber. “As I have
visited these stores to talk about small business, they have all spoken with great pride about their stores, the great things they have available and the level of customer service they provide for their patrons. Also, shopping locally makes a huge impact on our local economy. Money spent in Sumter creates more jobs for residents
and more opportunities for growth in the community.” The credit card company also sent 20 gift cards worth $25 each. The 34 businesses signed up to participate in the event will have boxes set up in their store. If you make a purchase, you can put your name in the
SEE SHOP, PAGE A9