“Christmas in Dixie” Spreads Holiday Cheer

Members of the Robert A. Toombs Camp #932, Sons of the Confederacy, brought Christmas cheer to many area families in need last weekend. Thirtysix motorcycle-riding Santas delivered Christmas gifts, toys and goodies to 30 families in 8 counties. The delivery route covered 300 miles stretching from Alma in the South to Kite in the North.

'It was a massive undertaking but well worth it to see the smiles on the faces of children and families that we were able to bring a little Christmas cheer to,' said Jeremy Powell, First Lieutenant Commander of Camp #932. 'And it was all made possible through the success of our annual “Christmas in Dixie” event held December 4 in Higgston,' he told The Advance. “Christmas in Dixie” is an annual endeavor organized by the Sons of the Confederacy, which not only offers holiday entertainment, but also raises funds to help those in need. The holiday festival features a car show, games and rides for the children, food, live music and arts and crafts vendors. According to Powell, this year's event was much larger than the previous year. Entries in the car show increased substantially and the number of vendors more than doubled from 20 to 42. Camp #932 uses the proceeds from the annual fundraiser to buy the toys and goodies the members share with families in need.

For one area resident, “Christmas in Dixie” 2021 had special significance. When it was made known to those attending the holiday festivities that Tim Evans of Dublin, who was brought on stage, needed to raise $5,000 for a heart transplant, the crowd responded by contributing $7,000 in just 15 minutes, Powell said. The funds raised will be placed in an account at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta where Evans will be added to a transplant waiting list.

Powell, on behalf of the Robert A. Toombs Camp, expressed his deepest gratitude to all the vendors, car show participants, those who donated toys or sponsorships, and to everyone that came and enjoyed “Christmas in Dixie” in 2021.