The Oconee Leader

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For hundreds of photos and constant updates about Oconee events and people, go to theoconeeleader.com

This Week:

Sports Issue 38

Volume 10

From the Oconee to the Apalachee

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Basketball

NOHS v OCHS Page 4

Online

ROB PEECHER/Oconee Leader

Julia Bailey (right), a North Oconee High School student volunteering to help at OCAF’s Mingle With Kringle this past Saturday, helps Ruthie Slide (left) and Ella Hudgens (center) make jewelry at the event. Ella and Ruthie are both 7-year-old students at High Shoals Elementary School.

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Basketball

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4-H

BY ROB PEECHER

The Oconee Leader

The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation Saturday held its annual Mingle WithKringle event, giving local kids an opportunity to create their own Christmas art, see a puppet show and meet Santa Claus. Whether they were making gingerbread houses or creating buildings for the “Peaceful Village” or making beaded necklaces, there were plenty of activities set up for children during the two sessions of Mingle With Kringle. Kids also had the chance to hear stories from Mrs. Claus while they waited to have their pic-

ture made with Santa, and professional puppeteer Hobey Ford. Tammy Gilland, who serves on the board at OCAF, was among the volunteers helping out during Mingle WithKringle. “This is one of my favorite events to volunteer for year after year,” Gilland said. This year, Gilland brought a group of Boy Scouts to volunteer at the event, but she said in past years she has organized students with Oconee Youth Leadership to volunteer at Mingle WithKringle. “It’s a lot of fun,” Gilland said. At this year’s Mingle WithKringle, North Car-

olina puppeteer Hobey Ford entertained kids with a puppet show featuring his hand-crafted animal puppets. Though Mingle WithKringle is the last of the holiday events at OCAF, the Artists Shoppe will remain open through this weekend, giving lastminute shoppers a final chance to swing by the downtown Watkinsville location to buy gifts of locally produced art. The Artists Shoppe features art from OCAF members and is open through Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information about the Artists Shoppe or other upcoming OCAF events, visit ocaf.com.

Secret Santa proves to be a community event BY MIKE SPRAYBERRY The Oconee Leader

Rivers Alive

Clean Up Page 2

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Christmas Parade

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For more than two decades, Oconee County Schools have helped families in need provide gifts and fulfill needs for their children through the Secret Santa program. Led by the two public high schools, Secret Santa is a joint effort between the entire school system, various community organizations, churches and individuals. The program is expected to serve more than 600 children in more than 300 families this year. “Secret Santa began in the late 80s or early 90s at Oconee County High School,” said North Oconee High School Social Studies teacher Miriam Ledford-Lyle, helping with Secret Santa since 2004. “The program has grown so much that in 2006 or 2007, we had to split the program. It’s really still the same program, but there are so many families being served that just because of storage, we need two pickup locations.” According to Ledford-Lyle, Secret Santa is truly a collaborative community effort. “Funding comes from community organizations, churches and also through the school system,” said Ledford-Lyle. “Rotary Club is really involved as are other community organizations like Lions Club. Many churches: Grace Fellowship, Antioch Christian and Union Christian. A lot of donations come through the school system from various clubs, sports teams, individuals, families, teachers and counselors. It really is a joint effort between the community and the school system.” School counselors and social

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

NOHS 2014 graduate Hailey Clark helps to organize Secret Santa gifts from last year’s Secret Santa.

workers aid in identifying potential needs in the community and families seeking help fill out applications in advance. Once applications are submitted, a database is created to generate anonymous wishlists, only revealing the age and sex of children to be served. Oconee County High School Principal Ben Wiggins elaborated on how those wish lists are made available to Secret Santas at his school. “We have a Christmas tree out front that has these ornaments. Each ornament represents a child or family. It doesn’t have a name. It may say ‘boy, age 11’ and have examples of gifts or items that child might want for Christmas. Then teachers, students, parents or community members take an ornament and go shopping for that child or family. Once we have got all of

those gifts, we’ve got a group of teachers and students that divide and pair up gifts for each needy family or child.” Needs are also as diverse as the children themselves and anyone who wants to help can contact any Oconee County School for more specific ideas. “Every school has needs,” said Ledford-Lyle. “People really do like to buy for the younger kids, but when kids get into high school, a lot of times they want clothing. So, monetary gifts or gift cards to Old Navy, Academy, Dick’s or other clothing stores are good. Educational games that might be more expensive or bilingual are also great. “We also have kids asking for bedding or blankets and we are making sure kids have warm coats for the winter. Also, it is Christmas,

so hopefully we can get them something fun that they want too. Parents turn in a wish list and we try within reason to meet as many items on the list as we can so they are able to give their children something they need or want for Christmas.” Wiggins said the Secret Santa program is also a valuable experience for his students. “I think it embodies the spirit of the Christmas season. It’s about giving and not receiving. I think it helps our students that may be in more fortunate situations or environments open their eyes to needs locally that maybe they don’t always see. “They may come to school and think everybody has all of their ‘Secret Santa’ Page 3

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