January 1

Celebrations all over the world ring in the new year with countdowns and drops- the famed ball drop of New York City witnessed by an estimated one million spectators is the most famous one of these.  Locally, Raleigh rings in the new year with the acorn drop.  Some unusual drops include the pickle drop in Mt. Olive, North Carolina, the potato drop in Boise, Idaho, the orange ball in Orlando, Florida, the red shoe drop in Key West, Florida, and the chile drop in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  However you rang the new year, we hope it is a great one for you!

Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th and it celebrates arrival of the three wise men to visit the baby Jesus and present him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  It marks the end of the Christmas season for Christians around the world.  In countries like Mexico, gifts are presented to children  on January 6th that were left by the wise men, much like gifts are left in many other countries by Santa Claus.  For this reason, Christmas trees are oftentimes left up until at least January 6th.  

James Earl Carter, Junior served as the 39th President of The United States from 1977-1981.  Prior to his time in the White House, he served as Governor of Georgia in the Georgia State Senate, was a peanut farmer, and served in the United States Navy.  During his life he was a staunch supporter of the civil rights and a defender of human rights.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.  Throughout his life he was very active in building homes through Habitat for Humanity and was also very active in teaching Sunday School classes at his church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.  Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, were married for 77 years.  She died in 2023 at the age of 97.  On December 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100,  making him the longest living US President.  Six days of funeral events for Jimmy Carter are scheduled, with a funeral to be held on January 9th in Washington DC's National Cathedral.  President Joe Biden has declared this day a national day of mourning.  The federal government will be closed on this day.  Click on Jimmy Carter's picture to learn more about him.

Donating blood is one way in which people can "give back" to their community. While it is estimated that 38% of the United States population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, only 3% actually give.  The two blood types considered "universal" because they can go to the majority of people are type O positive and type O negative. The Red Cross works tirelessly to provide a wide array of services to people in need.  Collecting blood is one of these many services.  You must be at least 17 years old to donate  (or be 16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health and not taking any antibiotics or certain medications.  Click on the image to find a location to donate blood if you or someone in your family meets the age requirements.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most prominent civil rights leaders during the 1950s and 1960s in the United States.  Thanks to his influence and work, many positive changes took place to advance civil rights for people of color.  During his life he led many successful marches in support of voting rights, desegregation, labor rights, and civil rights.  He offered a great many speeches to educate and inspire.  His 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech is perhaps his most memorable.  President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964.  This law outlawed discrimination based on sex, national origin, color, race, or religion. This was the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.  In October of 1964 Martin Luther KIng, Jr., was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize for this efforts to bring people together,  for his fight for equality, and for his belief in a nonviolent approach to solving problems.  

A Baptist preacher in his hometown of Atlanta, he led a congregation of faith at his church and had a national following with flocks of people wishing to achieve and fight for changes Martin Luther King, Jr., supported.  As his popularity increased and as more people joined the movement, his life became increasingly more and more at risk.  On April 4, 1968 he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.  His legacy continues to live on and every third Monday we celebrate his birth through a federal holiday also known as a day of service.  His real birthday wa January 15th.  

Click on the picture to learn more about MLK, Jr.