The mission of the Outer Banks Detachment's Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and to distribute them as Christmas gifts to needy children in Dare County. The program serves to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens.  The Outer Banks Detachment's Toys for Tots campaign takes place each year during the months of November and December.  It has become a very popular event for the members of our detachment and has a proven record of being a worthwhile program to the children of Dare County.

Members of the Marine Corp Outer Banks Detachment #1264  collect toys outside Kmart in Kill Devil Hills.

The OBX Fraternal Order of Eagles donate four bikes to the Toys for Tots Drive. Shown here is Dick Kazcik and John Sanborn.

Buylocalcurrituck provides a database of businesses located in Currituck County. The site helps county citizens search for their favorite businesses, find new ones, and keep up with business news.  In addition, visitors to the site will find specials, deals and events being offered by shops, stores and restaurants.   The campaign's goal is to create awareness of the importance of buying from local merchants and help citizens realize that the dollars they spend support the local economy.

Buy Local - Chips

Buying local keeps dollars in the community and has a multiplier effect and increases tax revenue which can help fund schools, emergency services, community recreation, law enforcement, and more. 

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Opera Theatre celebrates the season by presenting Amahl and the Night Visitors at Roanoke Island Festival Park on Sunday, December 18, at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. The tender, heartwarming story is one of the most popular of American operas.  The performance will be held in the Indoor Theatre and is part of the RIFP Performance Series. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 for those 12 to 6 years old. 5 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Visitor's Center at RIFP or the day of the event.

Lavish costumes and beautiful scenery combine with wonderful choral singing and a charming shepherd's dance to enchant audiences of all ages.  The music is beautiful and will be presented by a talented cast led by John Norris, a 7th-grader at Caldwell Academy in Greensboro in the title role of Amahl. For more information, call (252)475-1500 or visit www.roanokeisland.com. Become a fan of Roanoke Island Festival Park on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @RIFestivalPark. 

Recovery Circles and Classes

Recovery Circles, In collaboration with Dare County Department of Social Services and East Carolina Behavioral Health, will be starting in Avon and Frisco on December 20th.   The holiday season and winter is a tough time of year for a lot of people. Many people are still dealing with the devastation left by Hurricane Irene. They are designed to give the citizens of southern Dare County a safe place to come, learn about recovery and share with others that are dealing with similar challenges. 

The protection of the individual liberties laid out in the Bill of Rights has been central to the League's work throughout its history. "For more than 91 years the League of Women Voters have defended civil liberties and promoted balanced, nonpartisan discussions on issues that are important to our community, and we continue this work today," Co-Presidents Lori Williams and Dr. Lin Logan of the League of Women Voters of Dare County said.  "Our mission is to increase public participation- to help empower individuals to exercise the rights that are afforded to them through our democracy."  "Every day, League members work in our community to protect our liberties by encouraging voting, discussing critical issues, and holding elected officials accountable for their actions and decisions. In the highly partisan environment throughout our nation, our role in creating a 'safe' venue where all sides of the issues can be discussed civilly and thoughtfully is more critical than ever.  We encourage all to join us and make their voices and opinions heard; it's our right!" For more information, visit the local website at www.LWVNC.org  or the national website www.lwv.org

You may also contact co-presidents Lori Williams lwms@embarqmail.com ,  Lin Logan LWVDare@gmail.com

How would God want us to treat the least of these strangers among us? We may even hear the voice of angels unawares as we listen to our proudest Americans - those who most recently earned the right to call themselves citizens. These proud Americans do not want to abolish the borders or repeal the laws. They only want an immigration policy that works as advertised, with justice and liberty for all. Surely, those who love the land of the free and the home of the brave want nothing less.  What would God do with strangers and sojourners - like us?

The observance will launch at 8:30 a.m. with a patriotic musical prelude by the Northeastern High School Band from Elizabeth City, NC.  The formal program begins at 9 a.m. in the First Flight Pavilion, with opening marks from the President of the First Flight Society Geneva Perry, followed by the Presentation of Color by the U.S. Coast Guard Cape Hatteras Group. Nags Head Elementary School students participating in the Wright Flight academic achievement program will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Zene Fearing, 1st Vice President of the First Flight Society, will introduce this year's guest speaker, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, U.S. Navy, Director of the Joint Staff, The Pentagon.  Peter Jakab, Associate Director, Division of Aeronautics, Smithsonian Institute will pay tribute to David Sinton Ingalls this year's inductee into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine.  David Ingalls was the first and only Navy flyer in World War I.  Flying Sopwith Camel planes, Ingalls scored six air victories to become the Navy's first ace.

A Naval Aviation Flyover will pay tribute to the Wright brothers and the Centennial of Naval Aviation starting at 10:35 a.m. - the documented time of the Wrights' first flight. At 11:00 a.m. there will be a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the Wright Brothers and the witnesses of the first flight at the location where the flight occurred in 1903.  This program segment will start at the Wright Brothers Visitor Center.

At 11:15 a.m. a General Aviation Flyover will pay tribute to the Wright brothers and their achievements.

The park's museum exhibits and activities throughout the day will provide an atmosphere of enjoyable learning about one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.  The visitor center will open at 8 a.m.  Flight Room Talk programs will take place at the visitor center at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Children are invited to participate in the park's Junior Ranger program.

• Negotiating pre-authorization approvals
• Providing assistance in expediting the appeals process
• Coordinating benefits
• Negotiating resolutions to coding and billing errors
• Providing assistance in expediting applications for SSDI, enrollment in Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIPS, and other social programs
• Resolving debt crisis related to diagnosis
• Mediating insurance appeals
• Negotiating access to pharmaceutical agent, chemotherapy, medical device and surgical procedures
• Brokering resources to supplement the limits of insurance and to assure access to care for uninsured
• Resolving insurance issues in the public and private sectors
•  Providing co-payment assistance to medically and financially qualified individuals