OKALOOSA ISLAND A local developer and a Niceville physician are teaming up to sponsor a free holiday dinner on Christmas Day for local active-duty military personnel who won t be able to go home for the holidays.
Operation Holiday Cheer is sponsored by developer Jay Odom, whose projects include Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach, and the mixed-use residential Hammock Bay community in Freeport. Serving as a sponsor along with Odom is Dr. Garry Banks, a family medicine specialist practicing in Niceville.
The buffet dinner for troops is scheduled from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Aruba Ballroom at The Island by Hotel RL at 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E. on Okaloosa Island. The hotel is co-owned by Odom and local hotelier and entrepreneur Tripp Tolbert.