CASA representatives make pitch to lawmakers for support

Three people representing the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program for the Ogeechee Circuit attended the annual "CASA and Foster Youth Day at the Capitol" event in Atlanta on Feb. 12 as they met with senators and representatives to ask for support of a funding increase for the CASA organization in Georgia.

Gallmeier deploys to Persian Gulf

Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Gallmeier has deployed to Southwest Asia in the Persian Gulf region to support the mission of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. The servicemember is normally assigned to the 116th Maintenance Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins.

Green gets commissioned

William Green was recognized at a commissioning ceremony Feb. 15 where he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Sweet treats for burn victims

Girl Scouts with Troop 848 donated Girl Scout cookies to Imperial Sugar employees recovering from their injuries in the Feb. 7 explosion at the Port Wentworth refinery and their families.

Dancing with the stars

The residents at Effingham Care Center enjoyed an afternoon outing filled with dancing and music as they watched the University of Georgia Ballroom Group perform on Saturday. The residents said, "It was wonderful."

Sunrise Rotary hears central command briefing

Members of the Effingham Sunrise Rotary heard an unclassified briefing from retired Master Sgt. Michael LeFlamme of the U.S. Central Command Communications Group. LeFlamme described the major components of the communication system that supports U.S. operations at home and abroad.

Effingham Care Center crowns Valentine's king and queen

Shriners say thanks

Members of the Effingham Shrine Club, Richard Gormley, Mike Stanley and Cle Lynes, show their appreciation to S.L. Rutland, owner of Rutland Tire and Wheel, for letting the club use Rutland's parking lot for boiled peanut sales from May through November. The money raised went to support Shrine Club activities and projects. The Effingham Shrine Club is an affiliate of the Alee Shrine in Savannah.

Sunrise Rotary donates to YMCA

Effingham Sunrise Rotary President Ace Herring presents a check for $1,000 to the YMCA of Effingham. Accepting the check on behalf of the YMCA were Patrice Morris and Bonnie Dixon. Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Guyton Christian Church activities building. Anyone interested in joining this progressive and philanthropic organization should come join them for breakfast next Tuesday. For more information, call Lonnie J. Pate at 1-888-395-0440.

Time to line up for Girl Scout cookies

Brownie Troop 358 is ready to sell Girl Scout cookies. They will join with other area Girl Scouts to make the cookies available over the next month. The cookies will be available for purchase at the Wal-Mart and Kroger on Friday evenings from 4-8 p.m. at both locations; Saturdays at Wal-Mart from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Kroger from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and on Sundays beginning at noon.

Oglesby gets garden club lifetime membership

Brenda Helmly, current president of the Rincon Garden Club, honors Annie Oglesby with a lifetime membership in the Georgia Garden Club. Oglesby has been an active member in the Rincon Garden Club since 1955. The club normally meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1 p.m.

Girl Scouts pitch in at Manna House

On Jan. 29, the girls and leaders of Junior Troop 549 had the wonderful experience of volunteering at the Manna House. They had an attendance of 14 out of the 16 girls in the troop.

Ellison graduates from basic

Air Force Airman Brandon J. Ellison has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Exchange Club honors business, individuals

The Exchange Club of Effingham County honored a citizen and a business in the county for their daily display of patriotism - flying the flag every day. James Sapp of Rincon was awarded the plaque as the citizen flying the flag in 2007. Springfield Ford was awarded the plaque as the business for the daily display of the flag at their business.

Keeping the Guard up

Sen. Jack Hill of Reidsville, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a former Air National Guardsman converses with Col. David Lee, commander of the National Guard Training Center at Fort Stewart during the annual National Guard Legislative Dinner held recently in Atlanta. More than 30 ranking legislators met with Georgia Air and Army National Guard leadership from around the state to review the accomplishments of the 13,000-member Georgia National Guard.

CASA calls on rotary club

Lainie Jenkins, executive director/volunteer coordinator of CASA, gave the Effingham Rotary Club an overview of CASA, which stands for a Court Appointed Special Advocate.