Taste of Christmas coming Nov. 2

By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net

Want to whet your appetite for the holidays and help local children at the same time? Then make plans to attend the Taste of Christmas on Thursday, November 2 at First Baptist Church of Darlington. Over 30 cooks will be on hand, offering delicious fare ranging from catfish stew and deep-fried Boston butt to homemade apple cider and desserts.

Proceeds from the Taste of Christmas will benefit the annual Toys for Kids program jointly staged by the Darlington Fire Department and Darlington Police Department, which helps Christmas wishes come true for economically disadvantaged kids.

Families in need can apply to the program in person at the Darlington Fire Department (contact Ruthie Amerson) or at the Darlington Police Department (contact Kim Nelson) and their applications are reviewed by a board comprised of Fire and Police employees. If an application is approved, kids present a wish list and volunteers head off to Walmart to gather Christmas gifts for the youngsters, which are distributed the week before Christmas at the First Baptist Church gymnasium.

DFD engineer Perry Kelly says this is the first time the departments are trying out a “Taste” event to supplement program funds, which normally come from Black Friday boot drives along Darlington County streets and highways.

“Last year, we were able to help over 75 kids in our area with Christmas,” says Kelly, noting that if the Taste is successful, the Toys for Kids program could reach even more families this year.

Cooks for the taste include: Perry Kelly (BBQ sliders), Josh Williamson and Affordable Washing (deep fried corn dog nuggets), Todd Hardee, Wayne Byrd and Complete Driver Training (frog legs), Joe’s Grill (catfish stew and cornbread), Curtis Boyd (grilled chicken), Candis Gleason (shrimp & grits), Fast Track (Huntbonz’ Deli), Dawn Durant and Heirloom Events, Beef Jerky Outlet, Ashley James, Tommy’s Quick Mark (ribs and loaded potato, cheesecake) Roosevelt Scott and Scott’s Construction (chicken wings), Chett Huntley and Huntley Landscaping, James Jett, Evelyn Jett, Takis, Francis and Chinel Boateng (collards), Nick’s BBQ, Cheryl and Larry Boykin (Brunswick stew), Denise of HCS (apple cider), Darlington Police (desserts), MEDIC of SC, LLC (desserts), Raceway Grill, Sheriff Tony Chavis, Rick Young (taco soup), HMES (Jewish soup), Buddy Brown (chicken bog), Ben Weatherford (deep fried Boston butt), Tim and Lisa Wylie (dessert), and beverages from the Pepsi-Cola trailer.
Tickets for the Taste of Christmas are $10 each, and kids under 6 eat for free. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and continues through 8 p.m. at the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church, located at 216 S. Main Street in Darlington.

Author: Duane Childers

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