Local Christmas CD will benefit Senior Citizens Food Pantry

By Carrie A. Mizell

Over 100 local residents recently chimed in on a Christmas CD that will benefit the Senior Citizens Food Pantry of Gilchrist County.
“A Christmas for Giving” will be released this week and available for purchase at a cost of $5 per CD. Organized by Gilchrist County resident Amos Philman, the CD includes 15 traditional Christmas songs and three bonus tracks by Bill Lawson. Selections range from “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Jingle Bells” to “Away in a Manger” and “O Holy Night.”

Philman was propelled into action two months ago after hearing of the Senior Citizen Food Pantry’s need for additional food this winter.
“This is a community of caring,” Philman said. “And I knew others would want to help those less fortunate. We are very blessed to be able to serve others in the community.”
Philman visited the Cruse Center in north Gilchrist County and the Trenton Community Center to record local citizens singing Christmas music along with the Philman Family Band. Among the local vocalists recorded on the CD are five generations of the Philman family.
Copies of “A Christmas for Giving” will be available at the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce Office beginning this week and will also be sold at the Bell Christmas Parade on Saturday and at Christmas on Main Street, which will be Friday, Dec. 9 in Trenton.

Philman would like to invite all of the citizens who sang on the CD to come on stage at the Trenton Depot and sing with the Philman Family Band during Christmas on Main Street.
The event will serve as a reunion for all the “Gilchrist County All Stars” who sang on the CD to help those less fortunate during the Christmas season.