Augusta, GA
YMCA of Greater Augusta launches annual campaign next week
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The YMCA of Greater Augusta will launch its 2026 Annual Fundraising Campaign next week with a luncheon.
The kickoff and prayer luncheon will be on Feb. 10, starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Columbia County Exhibition Hall, 212 Partnership Drive.
The event aims to bring together faith leaders, community partners and supporters to raise $1.7 million in support of financial assistance and outreach programs in the CSRA.
Ten pastors from across the CSRA will each lead a focused prayer over specific areas of the YMCA’s mission.
“This campaign is about far more than meeting a financial goal, it’s about showing up for our community and shining a light where it’s needed most” said Catie McCauley, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Augusta.
“Every dollar raised helps ensure that we can meet families where they are, ensuring children sleep in safe beds, families have access to nutritious meals, kids learn life-saving water safety skills, and individuals of all abilities and backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.”
The 2026 annual campaign will also feature a Game Show–themed celebration.
Each year, the Family YMCA provides more than $2 million in financial assistance to children, families, seniors and individuals across the CSRA.
Funds raised through the Annual Campaign support the YMCA’s financial assistance program and essential outreach initiatives, including:
- A Place to Dream
- Cheryl’s Kitchen Food Program
- Safety Around Water
- Camp I.V.E.Y.
- LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA
In 2025, the YMCA of Greater Augusta raised $1,643,954 through its annual campaign.
Community members who wish to support the 2026 Annual Campaign can make a donation online at thefamilyy.org/donate or by calling 706-922-9130.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta Prep student was arrested on a charge of terroristic threats over a picture of a LEGO gun he posted on social media.
It happened Wednesday, according to an incident report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Eric Hedinger, the principal of Augusta Preparatory Day School, told deputies a student had uploaded a picture to Snapchat of a “pistol” with the caption “shooting up the school so I don`t have to take the stats exam tomorrow. Don`t come yall!”
The principal said he spoke to the student and his father about the photo.
The principal also provided deputies with the student’s address in Grovetown.
A deputy went there and was told by the student that the “pistol” was a LEGO set that he had built.
He also said the comment he made was supposed to be a joke because he was not looking forward to taking his Advanced Placement statistics test this week.
The student showed the deputy the box that the LEGO set came in, and how the set was already disassembled.
The deputy also looked in the boy’s room to make sure he was not in possession of any weapons.
The mother advised that there was one firearm in the residence but it was locked up.
The deputy contacted Judge Leslie Morgan and she issued a warrant for terroristic threats.
The student, age 18, was taken into custody and transported to the Columbia County Detention Center.
News 12 is not reporting his name or publishing his photo since the LEGO gun could not have actually harmed anyone.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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