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Guyton man dies in motorcycle wreck
Paul Floeckher
Updated: Jul 12, 2013, 12:34 AM
Published: Jul 12, 2013, 12:36 AM
SAVANNAH — An Effingham County man died Wednesday morning after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed at the intersection of Interstates 516 and 16.
James Ernest Banks, 31, of Guyton died at Memorial Health University Medical Center following the 7:32 a.m. crash, investigators said.
According to the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, Banks was riding a blue and silver 2003 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on I-516. He lost control of the bike on a curve after turning onto the off ramp to the entrance of I-16.
The motorcycle hit the guardrail on the north side of the off ramp, according to the SCMPD.
Banks was found down the embankment and the motorcycle came to rest on the south side of the off ramp.
“It was a pretty violent crash,” said Julian Miller, public affairs administrator for the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Officers from the SCMPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team continue to investigate the wreck.
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.
