Santa's big scene
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 14, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
A variety of holiday-themed performances greeted the hundreds of needy children -- and their family members -- who attended the annual Empty Stocking Fund party at Goldsboro High School Saturday morning.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Munchie McDaniels, 1, holds his new Snoopy stuffed animal while his siblings select their toys. Also pictured is Michael Oats, his uncle.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Tyq Smith, 9, smiles at the toy that he picked out during the annual Empty Stocking Fund party held Saturday at Goldsboro High School. When Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Tyq said, "This toy."
Dominic Botsford lies on his belly in the Goldsboro High School media center.
He is armed with a NERF Alpha Trooper CS-18 -- a gun he knows how to use.
"You pull it back here to load the darts in," the 8-year-old said, demonstrating the weapon's slide action. "You can lay down. I picked it out because I have a pistol at home that Dad has put up for now."
Christmas came early for Dominic and 237 other children during the Goldsboro News-Argus' annual Empty Stocking Fund party -- an event that sees toys, clothing and food donated to needy Wayne County children.
Joshua Singleton, a teacher at Spring Creek High School, has participated in the event since he was a toddler.
His mother, a former News-Argus employee, first brought him to the event.
And then, when he attended Spring Creek High School, he got the school's Future Farmers of America club involved.
Saturday, members of the Spring Creek FFA were among those volunteering.
And so was Singleton.
Only now, he is not a student at the school.
He's a teacher.
"This is something to look forward to every year," he said. "It's something to be thankful for. Not many people realize what they do have. People need to think about others. We're always quick to think about ourselves and how bad we have it, but no matter how bad we have it, there's always someone who has it worse."
Jeremy Johnson, 8, asked Santa for an X-box One when, after he had picked out his toy, he got to visit with the man he just knew had made it all happen.
The boy said should he get the gaming console on Christmas morning, the first thing he would play was football -- and he would even share with his brother.
But the children would not have had such an unforgettable experience if not for the donors -- and volunteers -- who made the event such a success.
Members of the local chapter of the Continental Society were among those who turned out to help put smiles on their faces.
"The Continentals were extended an invitation in 1985 and we've continued to do it because it brings joy to the children," said Patricia Stokes, president of the chapter. "It's also a joy to see the glow on children's faces and to know we, as a community, are making a difference in their lives."
Before they got to pick their clothes and toys, the children were treated to a variety of holiday-themed acts that took to the GHS stage.
And after they sat on Santa's lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas, Mrs. Claus gave them a drawstring bag filled with fruit and sweet treats.
They even got a new book as they walked out the door.
For Noah Stewart, 16, president of Spring Creek's FFA chapter, Saturday was all about the community taking care of one another.
"FFA is a huge part of helping the community and we just love seeing the kids' faces," he said. "We've been doing this for about seven years. It's very cool because we started when he (Singleton) was in high school, and now he's our teacher."