Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
It was a chilly evening on Monday, Dec. 23, as residents up and down Suwannee Avenue lined up to witness a special moment for a local girl: a Christmas parade organized just for her. Thirty minutes before the parade began, a festive atmosphere filled Paul Langford Stadium, which could be heard at the McKenna home on Suwannee Avenue.
Sonya McKenna, the mother of 7-year-old Evangeline McKenna, was full of emotion as she heard the sounds. “I can’t believe that this is all for my baby,” Sonya said as she composed herself.
Evangeline was unable to attend Christmas on the Square this year, nor was she able to attend the Christmas parade that followed. However, it wasn’t because she didn’t want to go, quite the contrary. Evangeline’s favorite holiday is Christmas.
Suwannee County Sheriff Sam St. John talks with Sonya and Evangeline McKenna before the start of the parade on Monday, Dec. 23.
What kept her from enjoying the festivities was the fact that she has been fighting for her life since 2019, and this fight has gotten tougher. Evangeline has Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). According to the National Library of Medicine, RMS is a rare pediatric sarcoma affecting skeletal muscle in children and young adults. Three percent of children suffering from cancer have RMS, which makes treatment difficult because of how rare it is.
“I do hope for a miracle,” Sonya said. Sonya herself is also a cancer survivor, having overcome breast cancer. When she connected with Sarah Wheeler, who is involved with the Suwannee River Breast Cancer Awareness Association, she did not know that Wheeler would offer the biggest gift the McKenna family would receive.
Wheeler texted Sonya, asking if Evangeline was able to attend Christmas on the Square. Sonya replied that Evangeline was not feeling well and could not attend. From there, Wheeler set the stage for what was to become a special and unforgettable experience.
“I got together with some of the members of the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), and it evolved from there,” Wheeler said. “I was only expecting five or six cars to take part in this, but the community got together and over 60 vehicles were part of the parade.”
Shortly before the parade began on Monday, Dec. 23, as the McKennas began to get comfortable, SCSO Sheriff Sam St. John and Hamilton County Sheriff-Elect Brian Creech walked up to the family. Sheriff St. John announced to Evangeline that she was getting a parade in her honor.
“We are going to celebrate you tonight,” Sheriff St. John said. “We want you to have a very Merry Christmas.”
As the parade came down Suwannee Avenue, the participants were led by a slew of patrol vehicles from various agencies, including the SCSO, Live Oak Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Several minutes later, a vehicle drove by. Inside was the Sheriff-Elect of Columbia County, Wallace Kitchings.
Also on display were show cars, civic organizations and even local individuals who felt compelled to participate in the parade.
Santa, accompanied by Rocky the Elf, grabs gifts for Evangeline before disembarking from the sled.
At the end of the parade came Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rocky the Elf (played by SCSO School Resource Deputy Berry Raulerson). Along with Sheriff St. John, Chief Deputy Buddy Williams and Sheriff-Elect Creech, the group approached the McKennas with various gifts. Evangeline was even able to have photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“It was a beautiful thing for us to do,” SCSO Sgt. Wayne Kelly said. “We couldn’t have done this without Sarah and the community. This goes to show how close our community is. We take care of our own.”
Wheeler wished to thank everyone who made this parade possible, especially the SCSO. Sonya also shared her many thanks to the community on social media shortly after the parade. “Thank you for loving our Sweet E. Thank you for loving our family,” Sonya said. “Thank you for bringing a smile to her face. Thank you for every single thought and prayer–we need them all! Thank you for making sure that, as we go through a very challenging and difficult holiday season, we smile more than we cry. Thank you for coming together for the simple purpose of making her Christmas the best yet.”