Updated: 11/3/11
You are wanted for the
MEN & WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS CAMPFIRE BREAKFAST on the OCKLAWAHA - 2011
A gathering of business and community leaders to benefit Interfaith Emergency Services
I don’t think I would shock anyone with the comment about times being hard, but times are very hard for many of us. Times are so hard for me, that I considered not having the Campfire Breakfast again th
is year. But I know that, no matter how hard times are for me, others have it worst. I pray that the bad times are nearing an end, but Interfaith Emergency Services deal with bad times for hurting folks every day of every year. Many of you may not know that The Christmas Campfire Breakfast on the Ocklawaha has been the largest single event fundraiser for Interfaith for 4 or 5 years now. They count on the business and community leaders to come to the breakfast and make contributions to help the hurting. Your neighbors, contractors, road builders, realtors, insurance agents, attorneys, restaurant owners, and many other business leaders are feeling the hurt. Some churches make contributions through the Campfire Breakfast and they also are really feeling the hurt. Even though this event is for Interfaith, PLEASE do not forget all the other local based charities in our community. I especially like Helping Hands, Project Hope, PACE Center for Girls, Kimberly’s Cottage and Choose Life. Please remember these groups and others with your contributions this year. If you cannot make a contribution this year, please come with a warm heart and a big smile and celebrate the fact that we have much more in common than hard times. We are men and women of faith, and our faith will see us through. But, if you can give, the hurt of pulling some money out of your pocket will make you feel better and will reward you in ways that you may never realize. Merry Christmas,
Chuck
The Christmas Campfire Breakfast on the Ocklawaha
IS held just before Christmas each year
@ Gator Bottom Lagoon & Landing on the Ocklawaha River about 5 miles from Silver Springs
NOW FOR LADIES & GENTLEMEN
:: The Campfire Breakfast has traditionally been a men and boys event (see History below)
:: We now make welcome the Ladies of Marion County
THIS YEARS DATE 2011
:: Thursday, December 22 at 7-9 am for the Christmas Campfire Breakfast !!
“LIKE” FACEBOOK PAGE
:: Please “LIKE” this page so we can better inform you !! http://www.facebook.com/CampfireBreakfast
PHOTOS
:: Please view past photos of the Campfire Breakfast
:: If you have photos of this event, please post them or send them to Chuck.
:: Please try to Tag names to people in the photos if possible
INFO – Contact Chuck Pardee at 352-875-8051
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WHERE
GATOR BOTTOM LAGOON & LANDING
ALONG THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER AT GRAHAMVILLE
:: From East HWY 40, ½ mile North of Nuby’s Corner on CR HWY 314
GPS – This is Randy’s house next door, but it will get your there
:: 10805 NE Hwy 314 Silver Springs, FL 34488
:: Please see map below on page
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WHEN – 7-9 AM
Breakfast is served at 8:00am on the December morning of Thursday the 22nd
Come early (after 6 AM) and enjoy the campfire, woods, river and HOT coffee. The event is usually over by 9:00 or so. Feel free to leave after you eat or stay and enjoy the river.
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WHO
:: We usually average 400 to 500 people who are willing to contribute
:: Please watch your children (Please read Warnings below)
:: Many of your friends will be there, so join the Campfire gang
COST / CONTRIBUTION
:: The breakfast is free BUT this is a fundraiser, please plan on contributing a minimum of $10
:: We average about $100 per person at past Campfires Breakfast events
:: THE JAR is provided for contributions to Interfaith. Our Jar Master is Charlie Stone
:: Help us raise money for this fine organization which helps so many people at this time of the year. If you bring a check, please make it out to:
INTERFAITH EMERGENCY SERVICES
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HOST
Chuck & Debi Pardee Family -- Randy & Susan Harris Family
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2011 HOST COMMITTEE
The Campfire Gang along with ~ Ron & Dawn Adams ~ George & Tammy Albright ~ Mike & Sue Amsden ~ Dennis & Ginette Baxley ~ Justin & Charity Baxley ~ Rich & Deb Bianculli ~ Chris & Sangi Blair ~ Thad & Julie Boyd ~ Angie Boynton ~ FL Brown ~ Kathy Bryant ~ Bill & Cyndi Chambers ~ Judy Crane ~ Ron Crawford ~ Larry & Lana Cretul ~ David & Laurie Cope ~ Brad Dinkins ~ David & Jane Ellspermann ~ Gerald & VeniceAnn Ergle ~ Randy Ewers ~ Riadh & Manal Fakhoury ~ Rick & Lisa Fleshman ~ Charlie & Sue Ann Forman ~ Jimmy & Kara Gooding ~ Karla Grimsley ~ Kent & Sandra Guinn ~ John & Suzy Heinbockel ~ Dan & Tajai Kuhn ~ Tom & Debbie Ingram ~ Kyle & Mindy Kay ~ Mike & Amy Mangan ~ John & Cammie Mcleod ~ Sam & Laura McConnell ~ Kevin & Leah McDonald ~ Stan & Ricki McLain ~ Mark & Trudy O’Connell ~ Daniel Owen ~ Emily L. Pardee ~ Albert & Marilyn Peek ~ Keith & Amy Perry ~ Tommy Phillips ~ Bruce & Marge Pombrio ~ Jackie Porter ~ Scott & Amber Reece ~ Mary Sue Rich ~ Chuck & Kim Rickolt ~ Villie Smith ~ Cliff & Joan Stearns ~ Scott & Linda Siemens ~ Charlie & Michelle Stone ~ O’Neal & Janis Sutton ~ Jerry & Annie Tabor ~ Harvey & Nancy Vandeven ~ Sam & Mary Williams ~ Charles Sr. & Katherine Van Zant ~ Charlie & Stephanie Van Zant ~ Jim & Kay Yancey ~ Carl & Ann Zalak ~ Judi Zanetti and others
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THE CAMPFIRE BREAKFAST HALL OF “FLAME’ AWARD
:: This year, to recognize people who have helped to make the Campfire Breakfast a success, we have established a new award
:: This award is given in recognition of service to the community by placing the many needs of our fellow citizens above ALL !!
:: Join us in saluting these two outstanding community leaders at this year’s Campfire Breakfast. The Campfire Breakfast Hall of Flame Award 2011 Inductee’s
Mr. CL Dinkins
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CAMPFIRE BREAKFAST CREW
:: Site Prep Chairman ~ Kevin McDonald
Want to help clean up, mow and such on Saturday, November the 12th at 9 am ?? Call Chuck at 875-8051
:: Cooking Chairman ~ Tommy Phillips
Want to help with cooking at 5:30 ?? Call Chuck at 875-8051
:: Security Chairman ~ “Mad Dog” Mike Amsden
:: Parking Chairman ~ “Flashlight” Stan McClain
Want o help with parking at 5:30 ?? Call Chuck at 875-8051
:: Entertainment Chairman ~ Justin Baxley
:: Collection Chairman ~ “Jar Master” Charlie Stone
:: Guide Chairman ~ Charlie “Snap” Pardee
Camp Gang
Rick “Brewman” Fleshman, Chuck “Chopper” Rickolt, Bruce “Stoker” Pombrio, Randy “7 Pots” Harris & Chuck “Taster” Pardee
INFO HELP AT BREAKFAST
:: If you need help, Campfire Breakfast Crew will have bright green name tags & Interfaith Crew will have bright red name tags, THANKS
DOOR PRIZES
:: Be sure to sign in at Interfaith’s tent to get your name tag and door prize coupon
:: If you would like to donate a door prize, call Chuck at 875-8051
WIN
:: Pair of Beach Bum Adirondack Chairs ~ Donated by Mike Pardee
More Coming
RADIO BROADCAST
Coming
BREAKFAST BELL - 7:45 AM
:: Presentation of the Colors ~ Francis Marion Military Academy Color Guard
:: National Anthem ~ Kathy Bryant
:: Welcome from Chuck & Randy
:: Interfaith Announcements
:: Presentation ~ The Campfire Breakfast Hall of Flame Award
:: Door Prizes ~ Be sure to sign in
:: Invocation ~ Mark O’Connell
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HELP INTERFAITH EARLY
-If you would like to mail your check before the breakfast, please send it to us so we can have a total collected. We will deliver it to Interfaith that day so they may put it to good use ASAP. Make your check out to Interfaith Emergency Services & Send to:
Chuck Pardee
2769 NE 32 Place
Ocala, FL 34479
622-5914
875-8051
If you choose to send it directly to Interfaith please mark it for the Campfire Breakfast so we can get a total.
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CAN’T MAKE IT THIS YEAR
We have heard some wild stories about people going out of their way to make this event. Many come from Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville, Tallahassee, St Augustine, Fort Lauderdale and Parts Unknown. BUT: We encourage people trying to spend Christmas with their family to do so. JUST SEND US MONEY:
Please consider sending us a contribution for Interfaith even if you can not make the Breakfast this year.
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CHURCH PARTICIPATION
Several churches have shown their support and made contributions to Interfaith through the Campfire Breakfast. Please be sure to invite your pastors to this event.
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Please Help: RSVP - ASAP
Call Chuck @ 875-8051 OR Email [email protected]
:: Let us know if you received this email. This will save us a lot of contact time.
:: You are encouraged to bring your kids over 9 years old.
:: You are encouraged to bring a friend.
:: Please RSVP ASAP with number coming.
:: List names so we do not count people twice twice twice.
:: Please include your email and contact numbers for next year's breakfast.
:: If you are not coming PLEASE let us know.
# Coming:
Name(s):
Campfire Breakfast Gang
::Send your contact info to be added to next years Campfire Breakfast list.
:: Please include your email address. This is the only way we contact attendees. Name:
Company:
Phone #'s:
Email:
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DIRECTIONS
:: Take Highway 40 east from Silver Springs about 3 miles or about1/2 mile past the Ocklawaha River to the first and only red light in downtown Nuby's Corner
:: Turn LEFT on CR314 and go about 1/2 MILE NORTH to the very first bend in the road.
:: Look for the LARGE HAND with FINGER pointing to the driveway on the LEFT.
:: Go down through the gate marked Gator Bottom Ranch
:: You should be able to smell the bacon by then!!!!
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WEATHER
:: Sunrise: 7:19 AM
:: We will have a large tent to for those who can't handle a little rain.
:: If you are concerned about the cold, keep your wimpy self at home. NOTE: Many people have informed us that the cold is not a factor NEAR THE BONFIRE.
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FACILITIES
:: Although we have had underground electric for more than 20 years, we never hooked it up… we love the camp-like nature at Gator Bottom.
:: Portable toilets, wash stations and garbage pickup have always been provided by John and Michael Paglia, THANKS GUYS
:: We have several cook sheds and a large tent.
:: We will have a large bonfire at the camp and at the landing.
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DISCLAIMER – Read Carefully:
:: This is a time to put aside many differences and enjoy our common brotherhood.
:: It warms our hearts to see how many people regardless of their views and misunderstandings come together in the spirit of the season. .
:: Fighting, name calling, eye poking, finger pointing, backstabbing and sucker punching will not be allowed until after the main event.
:: This is NOT a political event although Democrats should stay clear of rivers edge.
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WARNINGS – Read Carefully:
::Gator Bottom is adjacent to one of the largest swamp areas in Florida. Wild & predatory animals such as snakes, alligators, bears, coyotes, wild hogs, turkeys, deer, pole cats, politicians, preachers, builders, developers, lawyers, realtors, insurance agents and skunk apes may be seen. Please use caution.
:: The river at the landing is swift and about 25ft deep. Large gators and water moccasins are often seen in the canal and at the river landing. Please use caution and alert your guest to this warning.
:: This is not a formal event. We are not responsible for men who show up in suits.
:: For our Yankee friends-CHEESE GRITS may be served.
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HISTORY
:: Campfire Breakfast on the Ocklawaha, formerly, The Men’s Christmas Campfire Breakfast
:: The Men’s Christmas Campfire Breakfast was started by adjacent landowners Chuck Pardee & Randy Harris in 1996. The first breakfast was for their Promise Keepers group and was attended by about 50 people. Around 2003, they had an idea to make some money. They were tired of all their “buddies” coming out for a FREE breakfast and decided that it could be a perfect fit for a charitable fundraiser. Interfaith Emergency Services was chosen as the charity. The Men’s Christmas Campfire Breakfast has raised over $100,000 for Interfaith, thanks to the generosity of the attendees.
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