A “Sharing in the Community” Christmas social was held recently at the G. Riddle Banquet Hall of the Zion Grove A.M.E. Zion Church, with more than 100 people in attendance.
The Christmas social was made possible by the Polk County Community Foundation 2011 Seasonal Assistance Grant and was sponsored by the Unity in the Community Organization.
The event provided fruit and gift baskets and live entertainment for senior citizens and needy families of the community. For the third consecutive year, Mountain View BBQ & Deli of Columbus catered the meal, which was served by volunteer waiters and waitresses. The menu consisted of smoked leg quarters, meatloaf, corn on the cob, potato salad

and baked beans. Guests had a choice of desserts prepared and donated by members of the community, which included pound cake, cheesecake, coconut cake, fruit cake, red velvet cake, banana pudding and buttermilk pies.
Rev. Theodore Kelly, pastor of the Moores Grove Baptist Church, was master of ceremonies for the evening. Rev. Eleanor Miller, pastor of the New Zion C.M.E Church, Mill Spring, spoke about her most memorable Christmas. James Bryan of Tryon and Ulysses Miller of Gastonia sang songs of the season.
Live music was provided by the Briscoe Family Band. One of the highlights of the evening was the segment of fun and games in which the audience was required to participate.
Organizers said the attendees were like kids at heart as their names were called and they approached the stage area to select from an assortment of more than 130 wrapped gifts, gift baskets, fruit baskets and gift bags. The remaining gifts were given to local community leaders and pastors to distribute to the needy and senior citizens in the community.
Others assisting with the Christmas social were Rev. Phil Forney, Terry Hines, Roy Miller, Michelle Miller, Linda Hines and Rev. Keith Knox.
– article submitted