Navy Federal Employees Give The Gift Of Christmas To Local Families
December 25, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union made Christmas a little brighter for 113 local families, helping Santa Claus to fulfill the families’ wish lists through its employee-driven Adopt-A-Family program. Recipient families were identified in partnership with teachers across Escambia and Santa Rosa County School Districts.
For Tina Taylor, a grandmother and primary guardian to her seven grandchildren, her biggest wish was enough chairs so her family “can all eat together at the table.”
Navy Federal employees loaded up a big truck to make their rounds of gift deliveries. As Taylor opened the door, all of her grandchildren ran out with huge smiles as they saw bikes being rolled into the front yard and they rushed to help unload dozens of wrapped gifts to be placed under their tree.
The biggest smile of all came from Taylor as she saw her only Christmas wish come true, watching Santa Claus and his elves unload enough chairs for her entire family to gather around the table together.
“This is more than I could have ever imagined,” said Taylor. “I’ve never seen the kids this happy. I just want us all to be able to eat together and now we can do that. I can’t thank them enough.” The feelings of joy and happiness were certainly mutual for the Navy Federal employees.
“Our team members look forward to the Adopt-A-Family program every year,” said Navy Federal spokesperson Brandi Gomez. “As soon as the family wish lists go on the tree at work, they are all taken within a few hours.”
“As special as it is for the families receiving gifts, it’s just as special for our team members,” said Gomez. “They spend weeks getting together to pick out items and spend their own money to go shopping for the gifts. We all just feel blessed to be able to be a part of this and get the opportunity to help families in our community.”
In addition to the Adopt-A-Family program, Navy Federal employees at the Greater Pensacola Operations campus gave back this holiday season through gathering more than 1,800 toys, including bikes and scooters, and donating $1,500 to the local Toys for Tots program in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Santa Visits NAS Pensacola
December 25, 2019
Santa Claus visited NAS Pensacola and Corry Station Tuesday. With the help of the NAS Pensacola Fire Department, he brought stockings to children, and Bobby the dog elf even gave treats to good dogs along the way. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Teams With NORAD To Track Santa Live
December 24, 2019
NorthEscambia.com is teaming up with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track the progress of Santa Claus around the world.
Merry Christmas from NorthEscambia.com to you and your entire family!
Century Man Jailed After Getting Upset About Firemen Blocking Road While Working To Save Wreck Victim
December 24, 2019
A 70-year Century old man was apparently upset that first responders had blocked the road to extricate an accident victim from his vehicle.
James Wendall Gandy was charged obstruction of justice without violence after the incident Sunday night.
Escambia Fire Rescue was working to free a critically injured wreck victim from his truck on Highway 4A west of Century. Gandy approached the scene and began screaming at deputies to “move the [expletive] vehicles out of the road” so he could get to his house located a few yards away, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Deputies told him several times to return to his vehicle, but Gandy continued to curse at them and refused to return to his vehicle, the arrest report states. He turned toward a deputy in an aggressive manner “as if he was going to punch him” before deputies physically escorted him from the scene to a patrol vehicle.
As deputies attempted to handcuff Gandy, he began to actively pull away and at one point tried to kick a deputy, the ECSO said.
The deputy noted in his report that Gandy appeared to be intoxicated and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.
Gandy remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $500.
Camp Fire Kids Share Christmas Joy With Century Nursing Home Residents
December 24, 2019
The Camp Fire Century VPK class recently visited the residents of the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center to share Christmas joy. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunshine And Warm Temperatures Headed Into Christmas
December 24, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
No Lane Closures On Florida’s State Roads For The Holidays
December 24, 2019
For the holiday season, there will be no lane closures on state roads These lane closure restrictions include both construction and maintenance activities, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cub Scouts ‘Sock It To The Homeless’ For The Holiday Season
December 24, 2019
Local Cub Scouts decided to “sock it to the homeless” for Christmas.
Cub Scout Pack 499 sponsored by Gonzalez United Methodist Church took part in the service project to collect socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and other small toiletries to go inside the socks to donate to the Waterfront Rescue Mission.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NAS Pensacola Announces Holiday Access Updates For Base And Barrancas National Cemetery
December 24, 2019
With the current FBI shoot investigation ongoing onboard NAS Pensacola, the installation remains open for current DoD ID cardholders only.
The Trusted Travelers Program is still in affect and DoD ID cardholders can escort guests onto the installation and to the museum and lighthouse.
Access to Barrancas National Cemetery remains as normal. Visitors to Barrancas National Cemetery without a DoD ID card may obtain a pass at the Visitor Control Center (VCC), which is located at the Main Gate. VCC hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Video: Molino Park Choir Performs At Winterfest
December 24, 2019
The Molino Park Elementary School Choir performed at Winterfest in downtown Pensacola earlier this month. The performance video is above.
Photos/video for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
