Good Deeds

Consumer Stories

Big changes at AU after Hurricane Helene

AU’s three campuses, Summerville, Health Science, and Forest Hills, lost thousands of trees in the hurricane-strength winds during Hurricane Helene in 2025.  The Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA) and Sand Hills Garden Club joined with Augusta University (AU) to repopulate its tree canopy following the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene. The most noticeable was the huge Deodar cedar tree at the main entrance to the Summerville campus. That is where the garden club and CFCSRA stepped in. Shell Berry, President and CEO of CFCSRA, told ABD the garden club

Read More »
B2B Stories

Local business to help teach nonprofit clients online safety

An organization known for helping patients with neurological challenges has added classes to develop more than its clients’ physical needs. Day One Fitness, located in Beech Island, provides personalized physical development programs for individuals with challenges ranging from Parkinson’s Disease to stroke recovery. Thanks to a suggestion from a volunteer, it also offers classes on other topics.  “She came to me, and she said, ‘Hey, the people that have been coming are just so hungry for information, and there’s just so much that we don’t know,’” Executive Director Danielle Williams

Read More »
Awards/Celebrations

Augusta Businessman recognized as Scouts begin new year

The Georgia-Carolina Council Scouting America held its annual campaign kickoff and named this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award winner. Donnie Thompson, owner of several businesses, most notably Windsor Fine Jewelers, was chosen by previous award winners to be recognized this year.  Thompson, who thanked the council and his predecessors, was introduced by Andy Jones, owner of the Gerald Jones Auto Group. Jones said Thompson embodies the spirit of scouting by being helpful, kind, and generous. “Generosity isn’t just about money,” said Jones. “It’s your talents, your energy, and your heart, and

Read More »
Consumer Stories

$1 million Beautification Project

Trees are an integral component of Aiken’s charm, and the organization protecting them just received a major infusion of money. Rob Johnston, a well-known local philanthropist, donated one million dollars to the Aiken Streetscapes Fund held by the Community Foundation for the CSRA (CFCSRA). The money will be used to fund the Oak Wilt Response program. “Oak Wilt is a serious and often fatal fungal disease affecting oak trees,” said Darce Stoker, Executive Director of Aiken Streetscapes. “Approximately 22 water oaks along Charleston Street have been identified as infected. In

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Windsor Jewelers, Doctors Hospital, and Gerald Jones Auto Group

Scouts honor a small business legend in the CSRA. Donnie Thompson will be the guest of honor next week at a special award ceremony put on by the Georgia-Carolina Council Scouting America chapter in Columbia County. Thompson will receive the distinguished citizens award at a luncheon next Tuesday, February 5th.  He’ll be introduced by a good friend and business colleague, Andy Jones from the Gerald Jones Auto Group. Each year, the two businessmen help pay for a free, patriotic fireworks show called “Thunder over Evans.”  The keynote speaker will be

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Connecting CSRA medical needs with business good deeds

The founder of the nation’s largest human resource company for small and medium businesses has made a $50 million investment in the Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia (WCHOG).  The investment by Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex, brings WCHOG into a national consortium of children’s hospitals.   “Children’s hospitals are essential to the health and future of our communities, and each one serves families with unique needs and challenges,” said Golisano in the news release announcing the investment. “The team at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia has a deep commitment to advancing

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Community groups receive nearly 3/4 million dollars

A local organization celebrated its 30th anniversary by distributing $735,000 in grants to 59 area nonprofit, educational, arts, and historical groups. The Community Foundation of the CSRA (CFCSRA) grants will support groups in Richmond, Columbia, Burke, and McDuffie counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. “The Community Foundation really exists so that we can give back,” Shell Berry, President and CEO, explained for ABD. “It is a community endowment that’s been contributed to, most significantly by the Masters Tournament for 29 of those 30 years. And

Read More »
Consumer Stories

National Bank Gives Big Check to Feed Hungry

Just before Christmas, a $30,000 check appeared under Golden Harvest Food Bank’s tree to help fight hunger in a big way in 2026. GHFB is one of 100 non-profits to receive a total of $5 million this holiday season. Over the next five years, Bank of America will be committing $250M over the next five years to support food insecurity across American communities. Employees of Bank of America plan to volunteer more than 100,000 hours between now and the end of the year to assist organizations focused on hunger relief

Read More »
Consumer Stories

The Salvation Army of Augusta Calls on Stores & Community to Close $50,000 Gap Before Christmas Eve

Stores like Bass Pro, Belk in Evans and North Augusta, all of the Food Lions and Walmarts in Augusta, Evans, Martinez, and North Augusta, and at Hobby Lobby in Augusta and North Augusta, and Augusta Mall are helping The Salvation Army of Augusta’s 2025 Red Kettle Campaign to reach its goal before bell ringing concludes on Christmas Eve. The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser of the year, providing critical funding that sustains programs and services throughout the year. Every donation made—whether at a physical Red Kettle or online—stays

Read More »
Consumer Stories

Early Christmas Gifts

When we think of a random act of kindness over the holidays, usually images of a free coffee or an angel tree gift is carried out. SRP Federal Credit Union gave an average of $5000 gift to 23 charities just in time for the holidays. ABD has inquired into which charity received what amount of money. In the spirit of the season and in keeping with the credit union philosophy of People Helping People, SRP Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that its Board of Directors has approved a

Read More »