Augusta, GA
Finding Solutions: Salvation Army programs help families during holidays
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army in both Augusta and Aiken kicked off the holiday season with the Angel Tree Program and Red Kettle Campaign on Wednesday.
Both organizations say the need is greater this year compared to last and are calling on the community for help in supporting so many people.
You can help provide Christmas to kids in need this year through the Angel Tree Program.
Major Jonathan Raymer with the Salvation Army of Augusta says there are 500 more kids on the list this year compared to last.
“We wanted to lean in and help as many as we could with the aftermath of Helene and so with the Angel Tree program you can reach out to us and get an Angel Tree tag which represents a child you can adopt and go and shop for,” said Raymer.
Angel Trees are up across the CSRA as well as red kettles, where you can donate in support of the Salvation Army’s mission.
“All of that money stays local in fact that money goes to support our Center of Hope which is our shelter and over the last two years we’ve gotten right at 300 people into permanent housing who have gone through our shelter,” said Raymer.
Rose Brown benefitted from this.
She spent time at the Center of Hope and was able to get permanent housing from the resources given.
“Everything I feel is a stepping stone. You use that to get ahead to move from where you are and a big part of that was for me the Salvation Army, the church, the spiritual guidance, and the love, and the service they show,” said Brown.
Across the river, the Salvation Army of Aiken is seeing an increase in need as well.
Captain Michael Good says there are 2,100 kids on the list — 800 more compared to last year.
“So many of our children live poverty day in and day out so at least for Christmas we want them to feel as if they are cared for and seen,” said Good.
Good says they are in need of more local businesses to host an Angel Tree at their location.
They currently have about 100 angels that have not left their office.
This is the first time for Cold Creek Nurseries in Aiken County to have an Angel Tree.
Linda McKebie, store manager of Cold Creek Nurseries, said: “Words can’t describe the need for children who are out there who need a little something for Christmas who don’t have anything for Christmas, so we just want to help with those kids.”
Good says it’s important to support the Angel Tree Program and Red Kettle Campaign.
“It goes to fund programs like our emergency shelter, homelessness prevention programs, food pantry, our boys and girls club and that’s why it’s such an important thing to understand those funds go to more than just Christmas efforts, but year-round to impact this community,” said Good.
COMING UP
For Thanksgiving: Salvation Army extends invitation
- The Salvation Army will be offering Thanksgiving dinner to go from 5:30-6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Center of Hope, 1384 Greene St.
- Shelf-stable food boxes are also being offered to thos in need. Visit salvationarmyaugusta.org and complete a “contact us” form.
In tandem with the Angel Tree program, the Salvation Army is launching its 2024 Red Kettle Campaign. This campaign is a vital fundraising initiative that supports life-changing programs throughout the year, including food assistance, emergency shelter, and disaster response.
The Salvation Army says their goal this year is $235,000.
“The Red Kettle campaign is a critical source of funding that allows us to meet the needs of our community, especially during times of crisis,” said Major Jonathan Raymer of The Salvation Army of Augusta. “The funds raised help ensure local families have the support they need all year long.”
Jonathan says these campaigns are possible because of the community’s generosity.
“Always grateful to the community. Their amazing generosity. Their care. Grateful for all that they do. We can’t do things like the Angel Tree or the Red Kettle campaign without their help,” he said.
The 2024 Red Kettle campaign runs through December 24, 2024, with kettles placed at major retailers, including Bass Pro Shop, Belk, Food Lion, Hobby Lobby, Kroger, Sam’s Club, and Walmart locations across Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Martinez, and North Augusta. Community contributions will help sustain vital programs for individuals and families facing hardship year-round.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) The Augusta Players and the Imperial Theatre have announced their intent to merge, with the goal of strengthening the arts across the CSRA.
The merger aims to improve efficiency and sustainability for both performing arts organizations. Both boards plan to conduct a national search for a shared CEO.
The alliance requires approval and is not yet finalized.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, GA — The Peach Belt Conference has revealed the 2025 Volleyball All-Academic Team, previously known as the Team of Academic Distinction. The teams are part of the PBC’s larger initiative to celebrate the academic achievements of PBC student-athletes. Five Augusta volleyball players were named to the list: Libby Nickels, Layne Witherspoon, Sydney Harrington, Mia Saavedra, and Lauren Posa.
In order to be eligible for the PBC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must meet the following requirements:
1) Participate in at least half of his/her team’s events and be either a starter or significant contributor
2) Achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and
3) Student-Athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically
Transfer students are immediately eligible once they meet the above requirements. The Peach Belt Conference sports communications professionals oversee the program.
| PBC VOLLEYBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAME | INSTITUTION | YEAR | HOMETOWN | GPA | MAJOR (MINOR) |
| Libby Nickels | Augusta | Sophomore | New Smyrna Beach, Fl. | 4.00 | Criminal Justice |
| Layne Witherspoon | Augusta | Junior | Wildwood, Mo. | 4.00 | Kinesiology |
| Sydney Harrington | Augusta | Junior | Albany, Or. | 3.75 | Business Administration |
| Mia Saavedra | Augusta | Senior | Tampa, Fl. | 3.80 | Business Administration |
| Lauren Posa | Augusta | Senior | Johns Creek, Ga. | 3.75 | Kinesiology |
| Cassidy Bloom | Flagler | Senior | Naples, Fla. | 3.74 | Business |
| Gracie Fleming | Flagler | Junior | Denver, Colo. | 3.5 | Marketing |
| Clare Sheedy | Flagler | Senior | Plymouth, Ind. | 3.97 | Political Science |
| Lexi Baum | GCSU | Sophomore | St. Petersburg, Fla. | 3.85 | Undeclared- Nursing Track (Global Health Studies) |
| Liv Diaz | GCSU | Junior | Snellville, Ga. | 3.66 | Undeclared- Nursing Track |
| Riese Johnson | GCSU | Senior | Cumming, Ga. | 3.61 | Biology |
| Sadie Parkerson | GCSU | Sophomore | Kennesaw, Ga. | 3.77 | Exercise Science |
| Hayley Shepherd | GCSU | Graduate | Kathleen, Ga. | 4.00 | Special Education (G)/ Psychology (UG) |
| Lexi Polychribes | GCSU | Senior | Adrian, Ga. | 3.51 | Undeclared- Nursing Track |
| Nya Warren | GCSU | Sophomore | Gray, Ga. | 3.86 | Undeclared- Elementary Education Track (Global Health Studies) |
| Sam Alwardt | Lander | Sophomore | Summerville, S.C. | 3.89 | Biology |
| Karson Browning | Lander | Sophomore | Boiling Springs, S.C. | 3.50 | Physical Education |
| Emmi Cheek | Lander | Sophomore | West Jefferson, N.C. | 3.68 | Biology |
| Ameila May | Lander | Sophomore | Vale, N.C. | 3.73 | Exercise Science |
| Katie Miller | Lander | Senior | Sugar City, Id. | 3.55 | Nursing |
| Alyssa Tegelar | Lander | Senior | Blairstown, Iowa. | 4.0 | Visual Art |
| Ryleigh Willard | Lander | Sophomore | Roebuck, S.C. | 3.73 | Exercise Science |
| Aubrie Beard | Middle Georgia | Sophomore | McDonough, Ga. | 3.61 | Nursing |
| Paige Collier | Middle Georgia | Senior | Winston, Ga. | 3.72 | Aviation Science & Management |
| Ellie Johnson | Middle Georgia | Senior | Canton, Ga. | 3.89 | Early Education/ Special Education |
| Noemi Combi | Salem | Junior | Castello Di Brianza, Italy | 4.00 | |
| Alli Bishop | USCA | Junior | Chesterfield, Mo. | 3.649 | Nursing |
| Chloe Duzenack | USCA | Sophomore | Loveland, Co. | 3.659 | Exercise and Sport Science- Health & Fitness Management |
| Sidney Hogan | USCA | Senior | Saint Louis, Mo. | 4.00 | Exercise and Sport Science- Allied Health |
| Ana Cate Loftus | USCA | Sophomore | Powell, Oh. | 3.554 | Mechanical Engineering |
| Avery Pearson | USCA | Sophomore | Wellington, Co. | 3.786 | Nursing |
| Lexi Rogers | USCA | Redshirt Sophomore | Moore, S.C. | 3.892 | Psychology |
| Anna Sommer | USCA | Senior | St. Louis, Mo. | 3.776 | Exercise and Sport Science- Basic Sciences |
MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The alleged shooter connected to a shooting that occurred on Wednesday afternoon, which resulted in one person being hospitalized and led to lockdowns at three schools, has been arrested.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says that 18-year-old Davonte Taylor, of Evans, was taken into custody on Wednesday around 10:00 p.m. at an apartment complex off Skinner Mill Road.
According to authorities, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office was working in coordination with information provided by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and spotted Taylor in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
“We are glad we were able to assist Sheriff Clay Whittle and our partners with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, who continually assist us as well. We truly appreciate and value this strong working relationship as we work together to keep the entire CSRA safe,” said Sheriff Eugene Brantley.
Officials say Taylor is a student at Lakeside High.
The victim in the shooting is in critical condition, officials say.
The shooting occurred near the Blueridge Commons Apartments on the 500 block of Commons Drive, according to authorities, which is directly behind Blue Ridge.
News 12 spoke to neighbors, including Nicholas Koenig, who rushed home to check on his pets after hearing about the shooting outside his apartment.
“My neighbor, who lives right over here, had texted me pictures of out by the road of all the cop cars in front of our apartment. And I was like, I need to go check on my pets because I have two pets,” Koenig said.
He says this isn’t something that he’d expect in his neighborhood, right next to the three schools.
“It’s nerve-wracking because you kind of get in that perspective wherever you are in life, that it’s a safe spot, nothing’s going to happen around you. And then it’s all of a sudden things happen that you can’t control,” he said.
The sheriff’s office is also searching for two other black male suspects in that area, with at least one wearing a grey hoodie.
According to a letter from the superintendent, all of Wednesday’s after-school activities were cancelled.
The sheriff’s office initially responded to reports of a possible shooting near the 4000 block of Riverwatch Parkway on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after 3 p.m.
The scene was starting to clear around 5:45 p.m.
“We want to reassure you that school will be in regular session tomorrow, and as always, student safety will remain paramount in every decision we make. We appreciate your partnership and trust as we work together to keep our school community safe,” Principal Juliet King said in a letter to families Wednesday evening.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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