Augusta, GA
Salvation Army of Augusta encourages community to help ‘Forgotten Angels’ this Christmas
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – As the Salvation Army of Augusta prepares for its annual Angel Tree gift distribution, the organization is reminding the community that some children are still at risk of being left without presents this holiday season.
Every year, hundreds of local children are sponsored through the Angel Tree program. But when gifts don’t make it back in time—which happens more often than many realize—the Salvation Army must work quickly in the final days before Christmas to fill in the gaps. These children become known as Forgotten Angels.
Nearly 1,300 children across the region are expected to receive Angel Tree gifts this year. Wish lists often include coats, science kits, hats, gloves, and other essentials.
Villalta says the children most often overlooked are older ones.
“Typically older children are the ones that are the last to get adopted, and that’s who we ask folks to get these supplemental gifts for,” she said.
“People love to adopt younger children, and that makes sense. At the same time, there’s a lot of older children in our program. Our program goes up to age 12.”
Older kids also tend to receive fewer items because their tags are selected later in the season or, in other cases, the gifts are never returned.
Villalta says staff worried this year’s government shutdown and economic challenges might result in fewer donations, but the CSRA stepped up.
“We’re so grateful to have a generous community. They really showed out,” Villalta said. “Even just here at the Kroc Center, the tree is bare—which is a great thing for us, because it means the community has done its job and we’ve done our job to make sure every child in the area is going to have a Christmas morning.”
For Katelin Moon, who is the general manager at Panera Bread in Grovetown, supporting Angel Tree is deeply meaningful.
She grew up in a family that struggled financially and remembers her mother working hard to make Christmas special. Seeing families choose tags inside her restaurant brings that experience full circle.
“I grew up with a very poor family, and I’m sure there were times where my mom probably had to use Angel Tree for us to make sure we woke up to a wonderful Christmas,” Moon said.
“It just means the world, because kids are the purest things, and they deserve the world.”
Forgotten Angel Tree tags are available at locations throughout the CSRA. Some locations may no longer have tags.
- New Moon Cafe – Downtown Augusta
- Panera Bread – Augusta, Evans & Grovetown
- Augusta Mall – 3450 Wrightsboro Rd, Augusta, GA
- Evans Walmart Supercenter – 4469 Washington Rd, Evans, GA
- North Augusta Walmart Supercenter – 1201 Knox Ave, North Augusta, SC
The Salvation Army encourages anyone who can give to consider picking up a tag and helping ensure no child is forgotten this Christmas.
Augusta, GA
Abercrombie’s Career-High 33 Lifts Augusta Past Middle Georgia in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals – Augusta University
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta opened Peach Belt Conference Tournament play with a win Wednesday, outlasting Middle Georgia 74-70 in the PBC quarterfinals atChristenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars (19-9, 13-7 Peach Belt) move on to the next round of four and will travel to top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.
Augusta got rolling early behind Quinasia Abercrombie, who buried a three in the opening minute and continued to set the tone offensively. The Jaguars built momentum on both ends, and Nadiyah Byard provided an instant spark off the bench with a layup late in the first quarter to help Augusta take a 16-13 lead after one.
The second quarter belonged to the Jaguars’ defense. Middle Georgia managed just six points in the period, as Augusta tightened the paint and forced tough possessions. Amari Jackson hit a pair of free throws early in the quarter and later added a layup, while Abercrombie finished the half with a strong push in transition to keep Augusta in control. The Jaguars took a 31-19 lead into halftime after holding Middle Georgia to 1-for-13 shooting in the second quarter.
Middle Georgia responded coming out of the break, but Augusta answered every push. Abercrombie knocked down a fast-break three early in the third, and Jackson followed with a layup to keep the advantage comfortable. Sa’Niah Dorsey connected from deep during the quarter, and Augusta shot 61.5 percent in the third to carry a 54-40 lead into the final 10 minutes.
The final quarter turned into a battle. Middle Georgia found rhythm offensively and closed the gap with repeated second-chance opportunities, eventually cutting it to a one-possession game in the final minute. Augusta stayed poised at the line down the stretch, with Elyse Autrey knocking down key free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the win.
Abercrombie led Augusta with a career-high 33 points, going 13-of-20 from the field and 3-of-6 from three. Jackson added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Dorsey finished with seven points, while Autrey dished out six assists and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line.
Middle Georgia (17-11, 10-10 Peach Belt) was paced by Mauryah Jones with 20 points and Kristen Foglia with 18. The Knights also received 13 points and 15 rebounds from Kennedi Hawkins.
Wednesday’s game also featured a special atmosphere at Christenberry Fieldhouse, with the Lucy C. Laney High School Marching Band, the Pride of Augusta, providing in-game entertainment.
Augusta advances to face top-seeded Columbus State on Saturday, March 7, in Columbus, Ga.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Boxing Club is facing financial uncertainty after Richmond County’s 2026 budget left no room to fund nonprofit organizations.
The county’s decision removes one of the club’s main financial supporters, leaving the historic organization without a key source of funding.
The Augusta Boxing Club is one of the nation’s longest-running amateur boxing clubs and has served at-risk youth in the Augusta area.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta-Richmond County has selected a new planning and development director nearly a year after the previous director resigned.
Commissioners voted to hire Adleasia J. Cameron, who goes by Lisa, after an executive session Tuesday.
Cameron was one of two finalists for the position, along with Ryan A. Bland.
The position has been vacant since May 30, when Carla Delaney resigned as planning and development director.
“Augusta has been home to me for many years, from my time as a middle and high school student to earning my graduate degree. It has truly been a privilege to work here and contribute to the community’s growth, sustainability, and development,” Delaney wrote in her letter of resignation.
Cameron is expected to start within the next 30 days.
Her salary will be $125,000, with a moving allowance of up to $10,000 reimbursed based on receipts.
Other commission action
Commissioners also received an update that a veterans cemetery will break ground at the end of the year.
A motion passed authorizing the Marshal’s Office to purchase two vehicles at a cost of more than $115,000.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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