Augusta, GA

Finding Solutions: Volunteer for Red Kettle Campaign to help those in need

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2024

Finding Solutions: Volunteer for Red Kettle Campaign to help those in need

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign has kicked off and bell ringers are ready to greet you as you make your way inside the stores.

Last year, they exceeded their goal and raised more than $235,000.

Every time you donate, the money stays local and goes right back to the organization that is finding solutions in how to serve more people with your help.

Caroline Barrett has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army for 30 years.

“It brings the Christmas spirit to you and makes you feel happy. It’s the time for Jesus and his birthday,” said Barrett.

It’s a job she takes seriously.

“We need more joy. We need people to smile, and it seems like all year long they’re sad. When they see somebody like that smiling and ringing the bell, they get happy,” said Barrett.

Every donation stays local and directly impacts people at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope.

Major Jonathan Raymer with the Salvation Army of Augusta said: “Over the last two years, we’ve been able to get 300 people into housing. So without this piece of it, without this funding part, it’s difficult to do what we do at the Center of Hope.”

So far this year, the Salvation Army of Augusta provided shelter to nearly 25,000 people, served more than 57,000 meals and had 61 job skill grads.

You, at home, made this possible.

“We are infinitely blessed by the community and their amazing generosity. We saw that through Helene and we see that still to this day. People are willing to jump in and help. People willing to donate, and sign up to ring the bell,” said Raymer.

As the holidays approach, more volunteers are needed to ring the bell.

Barrett said: “I’m just happy to do this and keep on ringing every year and helping out the Salvation Army so they can help the people who are in need.”

For more information or how to sign up, visit Salvation Army’s website.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta government provides update on HCD audit

Published

3 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Augusta government provides update on HCD audit

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta officials say a preliminary response related to an audit of the Housing and Community Development Department was received Tuesday from Cherry Bekaert.

The audit report is not yet complete, according to the city.

After initial review, the city has requested additional information to “ensure clarity and accuracy before the process moves forward.”

“The Augusta government remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates once the requested information is received and the audit is finalized,” the city said in the news release.

In November, Augusta Commission members held a budget workshop session with much discussion about the Housing and Community Development Department.

That’s the department that left the city on the hook to pay back millions in federal grant money.

The city received more than $6 million in grant money during the COVID-19 pandemic, supposedly to help people who were in danger of eviction.

The city never spent the money for that purpose, so the government demanded it back.

The department didn’t have the money on hand, so the city had to repay it, and then some, from the general fund — $6.3 million of the original grant money and $2.1 million in penalties.

The scandal led to the exit of Housing and Community Director Hawthorne Welcher and sparked an audit of the department.

On Oct. 28, commissioners in closed executive session approved the payment of up to $32,237.32 from contingency funds for rental assistance previously approved by the Housing and Community Development Department.

This means leaders agreed to take the money from their emergency fund and use it to help people with their rent as part of a program the department had already put in place.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said at the time this was an effort to address letters that were sent out, falsely leading people to believe they were getting some emergency funds.

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Augusta, GA

Get medical care at several health events in Augusta

Published

15 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Get medical care at several health events in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several health events in Augusta on Tuesday are offering help to those who need medical care.

Department of Public Health mobile clinic

The Department of Public Health mobile clinic will be at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Officials say the clinic makes it easier to receive care for those who don’t have transportation.

The clinic will be at the 3109 Wrightsboro Road from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

You can receive sports, work and school physicals, diabetes management, WIC referrals, vaccines and more.

The mobile clinic offers private exam rooms, wheelchair-accessible lifts and modern medical equipment.

For more information on the mobile clinic and what stops it will take, visit www.ecphd.com/wego.

Annual Horizon Truckers Clinic

The fourth annual health fair for bus and shuttle driver employees with Horizon Motor Coach will be held on Tuesday at Julian Smith Casino, 2200 Broad Street.

This event will start at 11 a.m.

In partnership with the Augusta Lions Club, the Augusta University’s College of Nursing, Georgia Prevention Institute, College of Allied Health Sciences, the Dental College of Georgia and the Georgia Cancer Center make the event possible.

The health fair is designed to help prevent and identify health issues as well as providing mock DOT exams, dental examinations and nutrition advice.

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