By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Citys EEOC inquiry complete
Patrick Donahue
Updated: Feb 4, 2011, 1:30 AM
Published: Feb 4, 2011, 1:31 AM
Springfield city officials have concluded an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission inquiry into an incident that took place at Ulmer Park prior to a barbecue cookoff.
Eight people, some city employees and officials and some private citizens, were interviewed about an incident that occurred just after midnight on Aug. 21, 2010, at Ulmer Park.
Witnesses told investigators that a group of people, including Mayor Jeff Northway, were at the park preparing for a benefit barbecue contest and that “some provocative dancing” took place.
“For a lack of a better term, it was reminiscent of a strip club,” one of the witnesses said.
Though no articles of clothing were removed and there was no skin to skin contact, according to witnesses, one of the interviewees said he felt it “was out of place for the company we were in and the way certain people were ‘dancing on others.’” He also said the mayor was somewhat removed from the events and kept his distance from it.
For the complete story, see Friday's edition of the Effingham Herald.
Effingham Donates 6,900 Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
Cohen Busbee packs a shoebox with toys, school supplies and personal care items for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. (Submitted photo)
Updated: Nov 26, 2025, 7:11 PM
Published: Nov 25, 2025, 2:28 PM
RINCON, Ga. — Effingham County’s generosity will soon be felt across the globe. Local churches, civic groups and residents combined to donate 6,900 gift-filled shoeboxes this year for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that delivers presents — along with a message of Christian faith — to children in need around the world.
Volunteers fuel participation
Among those helping lead the effort are Pat and James McElveen, who serve as project leaders for First Baptist Church of Rincon. The couple collects items for their church year-round, coordinates volunteers and helps involve people of all ages in the packing process, including seniors, Bible school groups and individuals from the Low Country Down Syndrome Society.
Operation Christmas Child, operated by the Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, aims to share the Gospel while providing what may be a child’s first gift. Each shoebox contains a “WOW” item, along with other small toys, personal care items, school supplies and clothing. Last year, the organization delivered nearly 12 million shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.
James and Pat McElveen (back row) stand with Cohen (left) and Asa Busbee in a room where shoeboxes have been packed for Operation Christmas Child. (Submitted photo)
Churches, civic groups and residents all contribute
This year’s local total includes contributions from churches across the county — including First Baptist Rincon (5,100 shoeboxes) and Springfield Oaks (1,800 shoeboxes), which also serves as a drop-off site — along with Boy Scouts, high school groups and individual residents who pack boxes throughout the year. Pat said the wide community involvement is what makes the effort meaningful.
All 6,900 local boxes were delivered this week to Metter, where they will be transported to Atlanta for processing before being shipped around the world. Because many deliveries travel into remote regions, not every gift arrives by Christmas, and distributions continue throughout the year.
Once the shoeboxes reach their final destinations, each child receives both the gifts and a booklet explaining the Christian message in their language. For the McElveens and FBC Rincon, that message is at the heart of the project. ”It’s all about Jesus!”
With another successful collection completed, the McElveens say they are already preparing for next year and looking forward to the thousands of children who will once again open a shoebox packed by caring hands in Effingham County.
