AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The ringing bells are coming to an end.

The Salvation Army of Augusta is making the last push on Christmas Eve to meet their fundraising goal and change your perspective of what homelessness looks like here at home.

They’re even playing instruments to help make a difference in the community.

“We try to make it so that they can also enjoy this time of the year, just like anyone,” said Janelys Villalta, Salvation Army marketing and public relations manager.

They have been raising money all year long, but especially around the holiday season.

“It’s Christmas and we are very conscious of that with the clients that we do have staying at the shelter,” said Villalta. “We want them to feel like anyone else would want to feel this holiday season. We want them to be surrounded by love and joy.”

Spreading happiness in any way they can.

“What we’ve seen in the last two or three years is a shift,” said Jonathan Raymer, Salvation Army major and area commander. “So often when we think of homelessness, we think of the homeless man who’s out. But half of the people staying at our Center of Hope are women and children and so we’ve seen an increase in women and children needing housing, and experiencing homelessness.”

Raymer says ⅔ of them have a job, but just not enough to sustain a place to live so anything you would be willing to give could even be life-changing.

“If you donate $20, that actually will shelter a family of four for four nights,” said Raymer.

Passing along hope and love to everyone this holiday season.

“All of that stays here local, all of that goes to support what we’re doing at our Center of Hope where in the past two years, we’ve been able to move 300 people from homelessness to being housed,” said Raymer. “This year, we’ve been able to help 600 people stay in their homes so it goes to a very good cause and helping those in need.”

You can still donate online at their website here.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Monday, December 23, 2024, Barry Charles Robinette, 73, loving husband of 35 years to Gina S. Robinette.

 Barry was a lifelong native of Augusta, Georgia. He retired from the Bank of America and was currently working at Trenton Correctional Institute for the last13 years. He was active in his church, Abilene Baptist. He loved to spend time with his family. They loved to celebrate life together, and they loved their Lord. He was a good,good husband, daddy, and brother. He gave 100%and more to faithfully leading his family in the love of Jesus Christ, their Savior. He will be forever cherished and always loved. Barry is praising his Savior and waiting for the day that we will join him. 

 Family members in addition to his wife, include his children: Heather Robinette and Charles Robinette; sister: Shirley Weathers (Michael). He was preceded in death by his parents and Fred and Helen Robinette.

The funeral service will be held Friday, December 27, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Terry Doss officiating. Interment will be private.

 The Robinette family is so thankful for the support they have received from Abilene Baptist Church, specifically their Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of Barry Robinette to Abilene Baptist Church, 3917 Washington Road, Martinez, GA 30907.

 The family will receive friends Friday, at 10 AM at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If getting a pet for Christmas wasn’t on your to-do list, think again.

Augusta Animal Services has the chance for you to “test run” a pet this week as part of their Home for the Holidays program.

You get to foster a pet, with all the food and supplies you need provided for you and in return, a dog or cat gets to spend the holiday outside the shelter.

MORE FROM NEWS 12

Christmas 2024: The big day is almost here

1. In the midst of shipping delays, shop locally for your last-minute gifts
2. Salvation Army makes last push to reach their fundraising goal
3. Foster with Augusta Animal Services and give a pet a home for Christmas
4. How the Tri-Development Center is helping you help them this Christmas
5. Burn center tells families the right way to dispose of Christmas trees

Augusta Animal Services says they struggle with overcapacity almost all year round so events like Home for the Holidays are crucial.

“We have really high hopes for it, we always do,” said Rebecca Reece, Augusta Animal Services outreach coordinator.

It’s an event the shelter depends on.

“Home for the Holidays is one of our favorite programs,” said Reece. “We do it every year for Thanksgiving and for Christmas.”

The goal is for animals to find a home where they can spend lots of future holidays.

“We have a pretty good rate of people who take their dogs home for the holidays, deciding to keep them which is something we love having happen,” said Reece.

But adoption isn’t a requirement. They say taking them home even just for a little bit can help.

“It helps get the dogs out into a home environment over the holidays,” she said.

Which in turn, makes them more adoptable.

“It still helps us get a lot of vital notes about how the dogs do in the home environment, which helps future adopters,” said Reece. “It also helps the dogs to just enjoy themselves for a while. It means they’re not in the kennel.”

And they say they are there to help you through the process.

“You can always just come in and let us know if you’re looking for a dog or if you’re looking for a cat,” she said.

They say they’ll do their best to make sure both you and the animal are comfortable.

“We’ll talk to you a little bit about your home, what you’re looking for, whether you have any animals in the home already, and we’ll give you some suggestions of dogs you might like,” said Reece.

If you decide to add a furry friend to your holiday fun, they will give you everything you need to get started.

“The leash and some food. Some minor supplies,” said Reece. “Almost like a gift bag to make it easier for you.”

Augusta Animal Services says even though the shelter is closed on Tuesday, they will still have the event from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m

If you decide to return your foster animal, you can do that between Jan. 2 and 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you do adopt that animal, your adoption fee is waived.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.