Local Couple Uses Christmas Lights Display to Support Foster Children

Issue #303

19 Dec

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛅️ Columbia Weather - Mostly sunny w/ high of 47 / low of 36

🎄 Local Couple Uses Christmas Lights Display to Support Foster Children

📰 Amazon Workers Strike Across Seven U.S. Facilities During Holiday Rush

📌 Saturday: Hidden Gem’s Christmas Market

👉 Check Out The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Maury County & More Here

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, December 19th

Friday, December 20th

Saturday, December 21st

Sunday, December 22nd

Local Couple Uses Christmas Lights Display to Support Foster Children

Kirsten and Ryan Orange are using their beautiful Christmas lights display to give back to the community. They collect hygiene supplies for the Wrap Around Closet, which provides supplies for foster children and their families, and each year it gets bigger and bigger!

Wrap around closet is run out of the Church of the City in Spring Hill. It’s led by Stacey Glass who grew up in and out of foster care herself. “I’m a statistic that normally doesn’t happen… but I’m a success story because someone reached out to me when I was in third grade and started bringing me to church.”

Here’s what Kirsten posted about the effort on Facebook: 

Help Us Brighten the Holidays for the Local Foster Closet! 

It’s that magical time of year again! As we light up 219 Hanson Lane with our 4th Annual Christmas Display, we’re also launching our Donation Drive for our local foster closet.

This is your chance to spread love and joy to children in foster care who need our support more than ever. Kids enter foster care every day, often with little to call their own. Let’s come together to provide the essentials they need and the extra cheer they deserve this holiday season.

Here’s what we’re collecting this year:

 For African American Hair Care:

 • Shampoo & Conditioner

 • Styling Gel, Combs, Brushes, Hair Covers

 Personal Care Items:

 • Regular Shampoo & Conditioner

 • Face Wash

 • Kid & Non-Fluoride Toothpaste

 • Baby Shampoo

 • Leave-In Detangler

 • Deodorant

Together, we’ve done amazing things in past years—and I know we can do it again! Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.

Drop off your donations at 219 Hanson Lane or message me with any questions, if you want to participate please share this post or you can venmo! We will send proof of what was purchased! 

Let’s show these incredible kids that they’re not alone this holiday season. Your kindness matters. Let’s make magic happen! 

Amazon Workers Strike Across Seven U.S. Facilities During Holiday Rush

Credit: teamster.org

Thousands of Amazon workers across seven U.S. facilities have gone on strike during one of the busiest shipping times of the year. The workers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, aim to put pressure on Amazon to negotiate contracts while disrupting the company's operations during the holiday season.

The strike follows the union’s invitation for Amazon to join a Dec. 15 negotiation meeting, which the company reportedly ignored. The Teamsters represent approximately 10,000 workers across 10 Amazon facilities, a small fraction of Amazon's hourly workforce. Many of those striking are drivers, though Amazon maintains they are employed by third-party contractors rather than the company itself. The Teamsters describe the action as the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history.

Amazon has stated that the strike is unlikely to disrupt its operations or delay holiday shipments. The company does not recognize the union, arguing that the Teamsters are not legitimate representatives of its workers. Amazon has filed objections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the union’s claims.

In Tennessee, no Amazon workers are officially on strike, though Teamsters have reportedly picketed outside several locations, including in Chattanooga. Tennessee hosts numerous Amazon facilities, including a large operations hub in Nashville with 5,000 employees.

The main facilities involved in the strike are:

  • DBK4 in New York City

  • DGT8 in Atlanta, Georgia

  • DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California

  • DCK6 in San Francisco

  • DIL7 in Skokie, Illinois

Amazon insists the strike is not representative of its workforce and continues to reject the union's allegations, asserting that its business will remain unaffected.

Saturday: Hidden Gem’s Christmas Market

Come visit us at our indoor location, where it will be warm and cozy, featuring handpicked vendors, 3 amazing food trucks (including one serving coffee), and FREE pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

You won't want to miss it! This will be a great family event. Please help spread the word and invite a friend. 

December 21st | 9am - 2pm 
1018 Parkway Dr. Spring Hill, TN

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, December 19th

Radio Farm, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Point of Grace, The Mulehouse, 7 PM
The Alderson Jazz Collective, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, December 20th

Gary Chapman, The Mulehouse, 6 PM
Miles Damaso Trio, American Barrel Cocktail Cafe, 6-9 PM
Jason Acy, Grinder's Switch, 7-9 PM
Troy Kemp, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
615 Rewind, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, December 21st

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett's10 AM-2 PM
TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard4-7 PM
The Velvet Troubadours, Vida Nova Coffee, 6 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Christmas w/ Golden Soul Revue, Puckett's7:30-9 PM

Sunday, December 22nd

TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 1-4 PM
Cord Martin & Friends, The Mulehouse, 6 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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