What’s Christmas without the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? He is the true meaning behind the reason we celebrate this special occasion. You can read the biblical account yourself in the book of Luke, Chapters 1 and 2.

On Saturday, December 3rd, 26 boats loaded down with toys arrived in Port O’Connor. This was the Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run, a 20-year tradition carried on by members of the Freeport boating community.

These caring boat captains and crew reach out to friends, family and businesses for donations to purchase toys for needy children. They also hold a raffle, which this year brought in over $20,000. Altogether, this made it possible to deliver about $40,000 worth of toys to Port O’Connor. These toys are shared with organizations, orphanages, and others in need, not only here, but surrounding towns and surrounding counties.

No matter the weather, the Toy Run always makes it through. This year, dense fog made the trip especially hazardous. The flotilla crept along for the first 20 miles, big boats with radar leading the way while the smaller ones followed. The fog finally lifted around Sargent and they were able to see the banks of the ICW.

When they arrived in Port O’Connor, they were met by volunteers, locals and others from around the area, who loaded the toys into trailers which were transported to the Community Center and then separated for distribution.

Afterwards, the crews began decorating their boats for the Port O’Connor Lighted Boat Parade, making the parade a truly great event.

Many thanks to you, Toy Run!

Over 150 wonderful people boated to POC on Saturday, December 3 to deliver toys and celebrate “POC’s Annual Toy Run”. Local volunteers filled three box trailers with toys and one flatbed trailer full of bikes, and then set them up at the Community Center Pavilion on Sunday morning to distribute them.

The tremendous generosity of all involved not only benefits our own POC “Christmas Angels”, but also thirteen organizations from around our area who will provide over 2,000 children with gifts and toys on Christmas morning!

We send a huge, heartfelt “Thank You” to all volunteers who helped with this fabulous endeavor in any way…all who collected and boated the toys to POC, all who provided meals for them, all who helped load, unload, and distribute the toys; and all involved with bringing Christmas joy to so many children in need!

We wish all of you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

Seadrift’s Santa is in true form with a group of children surrounding him! Seated with Santa are (left to right) Izaiah Guiterrez, Ilyana Guiterrez, Audriana Garcia, and Raelynn Padilla.

The week of December 5 through the ninth was especially reserved for Santa to visit with all visitors. Each visitor was treated with a picture with Santa and a personalized wish list which was to be mailed to them and due to arrive before Christmas!

Our caps off to the Seadrift Santa!
-Tanya DeForest

The Service Club honored three wonderful POC ladies for their hard work and exemplary service to the citizens of Port O’ Connor, by presenting each with the Club’s annual “Community Champion Award”.

Club President, Marie Hawes, presented the awards to La June Pitonyak; Eloisa Newsome; and Nan Burnett. Congratulations, Ladies- well deserved!