Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

CSRA companies help Paceline raise $1 Million for local cancer research

Last night at the Georgia Cancer Center, a major milestone was met. Since Paceline’s inception in 2018, more than $1 million and 100% of donations by Augusta area companies and citizens have gone to the GCC for innovative cancer research. There are many, many more miles to go with future PaceDays, Paceline’s signature annual Fall Event, which saw more than 400 people ride bikes, raise money, and raise awareness in 2022. KAMO is one of the area’s leaders in providing healthy and clean workspaces in the CSRA. The company has

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Carolina Ale House

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday, he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

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Consumer Stories

CSRA business leaders perform on stage to support domestic violence nonprofit

Cliff Jennings never performed on stage with Mark Wahlberg, but for one night only, the local business leader will be a member of Marky Mark and the Movement Bunch to raise funds for a CSRA non-profit organization. Jennings, Branch Manager of Movement Mortgage in Augusta, is participating in the sixth annual Fake It to Make It lip sync challenge, a fundraiser for SafeHomes of Augusta, which serves domestic violence victims and their children. The event, which will feature seven teams, will be held Friday at the Columbia County Performing Arts

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Consumer Stories

Local sportscaster, advertiser supports Paine College Athletics

Charles McNeil moved to Augusta in the early 1990’s when he accepted a job as a sports reporter for News Channel 6. Nearly 30 years later, he’s working with his wife’s advertising business to help teams at Augusta’s HBCU, Paine College. McNeil and his wife, Zina, owner of Advertising Solutions, have partnered with the Georgia Soul Pro (men’s) Basketball team, which is comprised of former star players from CSRA high schools and colleges, to sell sponsorships that will benefit Paine College Athletics. He’s also working with the Black College Sports

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Consumer Stories

From high-level US security to pet security

It’s been an interesting journey for Lisa Benefiel. She served 25 years in government intelligence with the National Security Agency. Now, she provides security for pets. “I enjoyed my work with the NSA but in the past few years, I realized one thing that made my soul happy was taking care of my animals,” Benefiel explained. She was three years short of full retirement when she and her husband decided to move from Tampa to Aiken. “With no income at that point, I figured if I needed to go back

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Consumer Stories

Local real estate broker raises funds for heart disease research

When Nancy Powell’s mother had open-heart surgery at age 50, she wasn’t expected to live much longer, but thanks to advances in heart disease research, she’s feeling much better at 75. That’s why Powell, a local real estate broker and owner of Powell & Associates Inc., is actively raising funds for the American Heart Association. She will serve as the auction chair for this year’s Heart Ball, which will be held on Friday, Feb. 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott in downtown Augusta. The event

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Consumer Stories

Local businesses continue to raise funds for injured Columbia County boy

The family of Justin Gilstrap has already received more than $2,700 in donations, thanks to a team of local businesses. But the fundraiser isn’t over yet, according to Michelle Finn, co-owner of Sol Himalayan Salt Cave & Spa in Evans. On Thursday, Sol and several other businesses, including The Herbal Soap Co. and The Salty Beaver Fine Bath Products, held a fundraiser for the 11-year-old boy, who has undergone multiple surgeries after being attacked by pit bulls earlier this month. Finn said the family visited Sol to pick up the

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Medical

Free presentations help navigate Medicare

Trying to sort through the avalanche of commercials, direct mail, and social media advertisements for Medicare can be more complicated than driving through Atlanta rush hour traffic. That’s why Russell Turner founded Navigating My Medicare. “I hear it every single day from callers who say they need help navigating the system for doctors, medications, and to find the right plan based on their health and financial needs,” Turner explained. Many of those calls come from business owners. Turner says the best plan for a 65+ business owner will depend on

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Consumer Stories

Local restaurant to host golf tournament fundraiser

A local restaurant is hosting a golf tournament to raise funds for two non-profit organizations. TBonz Steakhouse, which has locations in both Augusta and Evans, will host the Tommy-Fry Classic Par 3 Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 7 beginning at 12 noon at Forest Hills Golf Club. The restaurant’s goal is to raise $25,000, according to its co-owner, Henry Scheer. “That’s not realistic, but we’re never realistic around here,” Scheer said. “We just aim for the sky, and whatever we get is good.” Those nonprofits which will benefit from the tournament

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Consumer Stories

Food truck owner to bring unique pizza concept to the CSRA

Eli Andrews is about to introduce the CSRA to a unique pizza concept you won’t find at Pizza Hut or Domino’s. Andrews will launch a Kono Pizza food truck on Friday, Jan. 27 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Crawford Creek neighborhood in Evans. Unlike traditional slices, Kono’s pizza is served in a cone imported from Italy, which is where he discovered it. “You hold it like an ice cream cone,” he said. “Everybody thinks it’s a unique idea.” Andrews said the cones are much less messy to

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