Auburn’s state of the city address set for Nov. 8
CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / BY DAVID DORTON
AUBURN —The Auburn community is invited to the City of Auburn’s 2023 State of the City Address on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. Mayor Ron Anders will give his fifth annual address, reflecting on Auburn’s challenges and successes over the last year. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the event will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Anders will conclude the evening by presenting the 2023 Mayor’s Lamplighter Awards, recognizing the efforts six community members have made to make Auburn even brighter.
The event is free and open to the public. The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center is located at 910 S. College St.
Pictured right are the recipients of the Lamplighter Award from a previous year.
2023 Veterans Day ceremony set for Nov. 10
CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / BY DAVID DORTON
AUBURN — The Auburn community is invited to honor those who have served our country at the 2023 Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Auburn Veterans Memorial Monument, located at the northeast corner of Ross Street and Glenn Avenue.
Mayor Ron Anders will officiate the ceremony, and U.S. Army veteran Drew Lufkin will be this year’s speaker. Pastor Jeff Damron from Union Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will deliver the invocation, and the East Samford School Choir will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Land That We Love.” Bagpiper Dan Drummond will conclude the ceremony with a performance of “Amazing Grace.”
A reception will immediately follow the event at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave.
Attendees are encouraged to park at Felton Little Park, the East Glenn Avenue Municipal Parking Lot and at the Douglas J. Watson Municipal Complex. Accessible parking will be available on Ross Street between Glenn Avenue and Harper Avenue, which will be closed to through traffic during the ceremony. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Auburn Municipal Courtroom at 141 N. Ross St.
Auburn Public Safety kicks off annual toy drive
BY ANITA STIEFEL
ANITAS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN— Auburn Public Safety’s annual Toy Drive is now underway.
Several changes have been implemented this year, including a weekend drive-thru donation event. The program has been expanded to provide toys for children ages 2-14.
The program assists families in the Auburn community who need a “hand up” by providing Christmas gifts.
REGISTER A CHILD
To register a child to receive a gift from the Auburn Drive-Thru Toy Drive, stop by the police department, located at 141 N. Ross St., or sign up online at auburnalabama.org/toy-drive. Registration is open through Wednesday, Nov. 15.
To receive assistance, a parent or legal guardian must provide their picture ID, proof of legal guardianship and proof of Auburn residency, such as a copy of a current power bill or lease agreement. In the spirit of a hand-up rather than a hand-out, effective this year, families may only register for the Auburn Toy Drive two years in a row.
DONATE
To donate toys and games, drop off newly purchased unwrapped gifts at the Dean Road Recreation Center, located at 307 S. Dean Rd., on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please note: gifts of cash cannot be accepted.
VOLUNTEER
Help is needed to sort gifts into age-appropriate categories and distribute them. Sign up to volunteer at auburnalabama.org/toy-drive.
For more information about this year’s toy drive, contact Sidney Hancock at Auburn Public Safety at (334) 501-3113.