It’s been a week of generosity for many businesses and organizations across the Coastal Empire. Here are some examples of groups who’ve made it their business to help others in the holiday season.
Armstrong Atlantic State University
AASU students, faculty and staff recently participated in several donation drives to help make the holiday season a little brighter for those who are less fortunate in the Savannah community.
• The Student Government Association collected toys that were presented to the U.S. Marine Corps as part of the annual Toys for Tots campaign, which distributes holiday gifts to needy children in the community.
• The Staff Advisory Council and the Office of Civic Engagement, Orientation and Student Union organized a food drive for Union Mission, an organization that provides vital support to Savannah’s homeless community.
• The Staff Advisory Council also organized a donation drive to benefit the Humane Society of Greater Savannah during the annual holiday luncheon for Armstrong staff. Attendees fulfilled many items on the Humane Society’s wish list by donating food, toys, towels, grooming and medical supplies and more.
• Armstrong Chief of Staff Amy Heaston coordinated with Brenda Webber at Union Mission to bring support to the Angel Tree program. The Union Mission’s Angel Tree program allows individuals and businesses to “adopt” a child or a family with the goal of giving each individual one wrapped gift. Together, various departments at Armstrong donated more than 100 gifts to Union Mission’s Angel Tree program.
J.T. Turner Construction
J.T. Turner Construction hosted its eighth annual Good Works Group Christmas Project Dec. 10 at the Savannah Baptist Temple.
The event benefited families that are currently being served by Union Mission.
Guests were treated to a holiday party, including dinner, activities for the children, and a visit from Santa Claus complete with packages filled with holiday treats and toys. Additional contributors to the event included Belk, Savannah Restaurants Corp, Dr. Philip Friedman, Small Smiles Dental Center, Monkey Joes, and Live Oak Public Libraries.
Moose Lodge 1550
Moose Lodge Number 1550 has donated a check for $19,200 to The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center. The funds donated will be used to help purchase new equipment and enhance patient programs for children in Savannah and the region.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the money that people like this group raise,” said Eric Pearlman, medical director and physician in chief at Memorial. “So, the things that we do we wouldn’t be able to do to the same level if we didn’t have fundraising support from the community, so this is essential to us.”
The donations come from the monies raised during the annual Moose Lodge haunted house event which takes place each October.
Rotary Club of West Chatham-Pooler
Pooler Recreation received $700 from the Rotary Club of West Chatham-Pooler this week. The club raised money for the community with its annual 50/50 Christmas raffle.
City Leisure Services Director Hugh Elton accepted the check for Pooler Recreation.
“We all understand the importance of being active in this community,” said Bill Wade, the club’s current president. “Most of our members live and work right here in this community. We are stake holders and recognize that we have a responsibility to be engaged—to take an active role in the growth of our community.”
Low Country Dermatology
Ronald McDonald House Charities received donations of snacks and high efficiency detergent from Dr. Corinne Howington and the staff and patients of Low Country Dermatology in response to an urgent appeal issued last month. Low Country Dermatology began collecting the needed items at its annual holiday open house. “The Ronald McDonald House® is someone’s home-away-from-home and particularly during the holidays, we wanted to make sure their needs were met,” said Dr. Howington.
Tanger Outlet Center Hilton Head
Beaufort County agencies received an early Holiday gift from Tanger Outlet Center Hilton Head. Tanger made separate $500 holiday donations this week to the Bluffton Township Fire District, Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services Unit and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
“These organizations support our community all year and are a big reason why Beaufort County is such a great place to live and do business”, stated LaDonna Shamlou, general manager of the Tanger Outlet Center Hilton Head. “This is our way of showing appreciation and support for these organizations and the important services that they provide to our community.”
“The fire department is happy to be able to partner with Tanger Outlets on different events each year and we appreciate the support that Tanger has given us with this very thoughtful donation which we will put to good use in our fire district,” stated Captain Randy Hunter of the Bluffton Township Fire District.
Those on hand for the Tanger holiday donation ceremonies included Bluffton Township Fire Chief John Thompson, Jeff Knieling, Karen Morris and Darby Amelly with Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services and Captain JoJo Woodward of Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.