AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department held a community event Saturday to help residents prepare for hurricane season and stay safe during emergencies.

The department met with residents at the Augusta-Richmond County Library, where they distributed community resources.

Lt. Stephanie Allen, public education specialist with the Augusta Fire Department, spoke about fire safety and emergency preparedness.

“Do a home escape plan, walk around your house, make sure your smoke detectors are working,” Allen said. “I tell people, simple as going online or go to Walmart and buy an extinguisher — right, little things like that will help. Keep an extinguisher in your car. Little things like that can help save your life, save your property.”

The department also demonstrated how to use a fire extinguisher, discussed how to create a go-kit for emergencies and explained how to use an automated external defibrillator.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The CSRA Death Cafe hosted a gathering Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta on Walton Way.

Death Cafes began as a way to increase awareness about death and encourage people to make the most of their lives. Since 2011, more than 24,000 Death Cafes have been held in 97 countries.

Brenda Ferguson, an attendee at the CSRA Death Cafe, spoke about how people approach death differently.

“I think death is different for everyone, you know, but accepting people where they are and helping them through wherever they are,” Ferguson said. “And if we need to get them to understand some things, but I can never say your way is wrong, because it’s different for everyone.”

Abigail Danns, also an attendee, said many people avoid the topic altogether.

“From my experience, a lot of us kind of live in denial,” Danns said. “No one wants to plan the funeral. That’ll jinx it. No one wants to just kind of tiptoe around the topic when really we all have to do it. So we might as well kind of just explore those thoughts, have the conversations, and better yet, get prepared.”

Organizers said they will host another Death Cafe on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta CSRA Habitat for Humanity hosted its third annual Build the Band benefit Saturday at Miller Theater, with Morning Mix’s Cliff Bennett serving as host.

Audience members were able to vote on the best performance of the evening.

Bernadette Kelliher, CEO of Augusta CSRA Habitat for Humanity, said the event aims to match last year’s fundraising total.

“Well, when you stay and watch it, you’re going to see exactly what makes it, but it’s the talent. It’s the celebrating local. It’s the getting the word out. It’s the past years where we raised over $100,000 last year. If we can do the same this year, we’re going to put those years together, and we’re going to build the house the band built. And we are so excited about that,” Kelliher said.

The event came as Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its 88th home on Friday, marking 40 years of service to the community.