SAVANNAH, Ga. – A woman is recovering in Augusta after being attacked with acid earlier this week in Savannah.

Around 8:16 p.m. Wednesday, she was walking around Forsyth Park and a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked her with an unknown chemical.

The liquid melted through her clothing and headphones.

The victim has been identified as Ashley Wasielewski, of Savannah, according to sources close to her family.

First responders located and treated the victim on scene before transferring her to a local hospital. Wasielewski has now been transferred to a regional burn center for advanced treatment. Sources close to the family said the burn center is in Augusta.

Sources close to the family said Wasielewski is stable after suffering second-degree burns.

Savannah police say they don’t believe the attacker was known to the victim.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Red Kettle Campaign is working to close a $100,000 gap before Christmas Eve.

With just 11 days left in the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army of Augusta is urging the community to rally together.

The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Salvation Army.

The campaign funds programs and services that support neighbors in need throughout the entire year.

Every penny donated through the Red Kettles stays in the Augusta area, ensuring local impact.

Proceeds from the campaign directly support the Center of Hope. In addition to providing a safe place to sleep, the Center of Hope operates a soup kitchen that serves approximately 200 meals every day.

In the past year, the Salvation Army has assisted more than 900 local residents through its rent and utility assistance program.

“The Red Kettle represents so much more than a simple donation—it represents hope for families right here in our community,” said Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Augusta.

“Every dollar dropped into the kettle helps provide shelter, meals, case management, and stability for our neighbors who need it most. With just days left in this campaign, we are asking the CSRA to show up in a big way.”

The Salvation Army of Augusta is encouraging community members to donate when they see a Red Kettle. For those who are cashless, donations can be made online at donateaugusta.org.

If you would like to volunteer for the Red Kettle Campaign, visit ringforhope.org.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Homeless Task Force held its last meeting of the year with leaders from the largest services for the homeless population in Augusta attending.

The room was full of people from organizations that serve the homeless community. As they finished their final meeting of 2025, leaders discussed some of the biggest issues they’re facing.

“Collaborate more, our people benefit when we do that,” said Nomi Stanton, chair of the task force and executive director of GAP Ministries.

The group focused on the upcoming PIT count, keeping the community safe in cold weather, and finding funding in 2026 to keep helping the people they serve.

“It’s what we do to take care of each other. And we want to make sure that all of our neighbors are recognized,” Stanton said.

Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of United Way, addressed funding challenges facing the community.

“We haven’t had the funds that our community deserves, and we’re trying to turn that around now,” Burnett said.

As the weather gets colder, services focus on getting information out about warming centers that help keep the homeless population safe in cold temperatures, including May Park, which is open overnight.

Services like those the United Way offers are important in the winter.

“Unfortunately, for some kids in our community, they go to school first to eat, second to learn. And so when you have a holiday break, then you take out two big components, eating and learning are both not available,” Burnett said.

As they look to continue helping people in the community who need them most, leaders emphasized the importance of working together.

“In this room, it allows us all to come together. That makes us stronger, but in like the best, most loving way,” Stanton said.

Leaders said that as the face of homelessness changes, they continue to expand their services and ways to help.

The homeless task force meetings are open to the community. Their next meeting will be in January.

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