Augusta, GA
Out-of-state volunteers continue Hurricane Helene cleanup in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the area, volunteers from across the country continue cleanup efforts in Augusta, helping families rebuild their lives one home at a time.
Annie Thompson remembers her daughter’s house well. But on the early morning of September 27, everything changed.
“When the tree came, it came; that window came all the way through. It came right here, really close to where they were sitting,” Thompson said.
The home was supposed to be their safe place after losing a home to a tornado in Burke County and another to a fire. But Helene crushed those hopes. The house now sits unrecognizable, having been destroyed for more than a year while the family looked for an answer on how they could move back in.
That answer came from an unexpected place. Dale Sink and his group of volunteers with Christian Disaster Services are working on houses across Augusta, a year and a half later.
“It’s rewarding to help somebody who needs help,” said Sink, whose life’s work is helping people with nowhere else to turn.
The crew has experience with major disasters. “Hurricane Katrina. And then after that, we were in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado went through there,” Sink said.
This crew has been a lifeline for Annie’s family, fixing their home plank by plank at no cost. But they’re not the only ones still rebuilding the community.
More than 100 volunteer workers gathered under one roof for a dinner in South Augusta. The Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee recognizes the work they’ve put in.
“We are eternally grateful for your sacrifice to be here, we thank you and I tell everybody… you are angels to us,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Deke Copenhaver, executive director of the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee, said the work continues to make a difference.
“To see the homeowners, once again, people that had trees on their house for over a year, that probably thought they were never going to get assistance, but we will continue to do this work as long as it takes,” Copenhaver said.
The celebration served as a show of thanks as people from across the country continued to pour in to restore lives and community.
The effort is managed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee. On Wednesday, they had 80 volunteers working 18 different sites, with relief and rebuilding still flowing through the community.
More information on the work being done and how to donate can be found at https://cfcsra.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4432
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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