Class of 2026 Community Service Day
The first session, on September 18, 2025, set the bar sky high for expectations moving forward (at least in my opinion). Leadership Augusta Class of 2026 is chaired by truly remarkable folks, Sarah Childers and Taylor Lamb. They are a perfect blend of everything necessary to shepherd this flock!
Community Service Day opened with delicious bagels and pastries from Elemy’s Bagels and lots of conversing amongst class members. Jake Griffis of Golden Harvest blessed us with his personal story of vulnerability and resilience regarding how he was impacted by Hurricane Helene. The org’s large and comfortable conference room was our classroom for the day. One year has passed, Augusta’s topography has forever changed, and families are still recovering. The class consisted of discussions which kept folks engaged, we were encouraged to continue giving of ourselves to help our community and each other. One’s way of life can be uprooted in a matter of seconds, Helene taught the CSRA just that.
Kerry Bridges (from Georgia Power) outlined the company’s response to Helene. From inside the organization, the response was executed like a well-oiled machine. That was a surprise, because as the folks impacted, we felt there was a lack of response. Community and social responsibility are woven into the fabric of who they are. From “Response to Restoration” is the is the tagline for Georgia Power’s presence in our community.
Brittany Burnett got us up to speed on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). This body of work identifies the financial hardships experienced by folks that are employed. It highlights a growing population of folks struggling to afford necessities, although they are employed. Brittany discussed UWCSRA programs designed to meet folks where they are, for example, the implementation of Project Dash. The program enables non-profits to facilitate deliveries (via Door Dash) to families experiencing food insecurity.
Shell Berry laid the foundation (pun intended) for how the Community Foundation is impacting our community. The organization connects the philanthropic efforts of donors with the non-profits and community initiatives throughout Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Burke, Aiken and Edgefield counties. The foundation equips donors with tools and information to make an impact in the community. In doing this, non-profits are strengthened through dollars, training and collaboration opportunities. These efforts work to engage the community around issues that matter to all of us.
Kari Viola-Brooke introduced us to Child Enrichment. The organization was founded in 1977 to address the critical shortage of resources for abused children. Child Enrichment merged with Augusta Advocacy Center with a goal to prevent re-victimization during abuse investigations. The agency supports various counties in Georgia including Richmond County. Child Enrichment seeks to help children rebuild their lives and overcome trauma. Through specialized programs every child who has experienced abuse has a voice and access to the resources needed for a safe, bright future. Before the magic could happen, work had to be done! The class was tasked with bagging and staging fruit and vegetables for distribution. There was some heavy lifting required, but it was all for a great cause. I must mention our competitive spirit, while impacting our community. We were divided into two teams. Team Sweet Potato left Team Corn in our dust. Team Sweet Potato are the champions: you know who you are! The day wrapped up with a class debrief, assignment hand-off for the upcoming session and a presentation on how the Augusta Canal came to be and its overall importance to Augusta. Then, it happened…The Canal Boat Ride! It was truly a neat experience. UWCSRA made a surprise appearance to cheer us on and shower us with a very appropriate gift, a fan.
LA Class of 2026, “the best class ever,” left better equipped to support our community, better networked and with an overall unforgettable experience.