Donations to local causes are great gifts
edition of The News-Times, as is the case this time each year, features a sampling of ideas from around Columbia County for gifts with a distinctively local flair.
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The idea is to not only promote the notion of shopping locally, but of buying gifts that represent the community. That can be anything from a Christmas ornament featuring Lakeside High School, to a popular afghan that depicts historical county sights, to T-shirts celebrating local businesses or teams.
But during the Christmas season, and during all holiday seasons, theres also a gift that benefits the giver and the recipient: Support for local charitable organizations.
Whether youre looking for a gift for someone who already has all they need, or just want a late-in-the-year tax deduction, there are plenty of deserving causes in Columbia County that could use the support. Here is a sample:
The Columbia County Foundation for Children is a tremendously worthy group, and this year is especially important since the recent death of its founder, Barbara Beazley. The Foundation operates the Helping Hands Thrift Store in Appling, and each year coordinates donations for needy county children for Christmas. For information, e-mail CCFFC@comcast.net, or mail a donation to 7009 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans, GA 30809.
Bundles of Books, an organization founded by retired Lakeside High teacher Chuck LaMarsh, gives books to needy children at Christmas time. Donations can be sent to 717 Pevero Abbey Circle, Martinez, GA 30907. Each bundle costs $15 and each is delivered to agencies that support underprivileged children.
In addition, The Greater Augusta Partnership for Literacy is the Richmond/Columbia counties representation for the Ferst Foundation. They provide a book per month from birth to age 5. One year costs $36, with donations to the Ferst Foundation and sent to GAPL, 2602 Commons Blvd, Augusta, GA 30909. GAPL is trying to match a $30,000 Knox Foundation grant.
The Columbia County Cares Food Pantry helps hundreds of families each year to receive adequate food, and especially needs donations around the holidays. Mail a check to 1959 Appling-Harlem Road, Appling, GA 30802.
The Columbia County Cares Food Pantry helps hundreds of families each year to receive adequate food, and especially needs donations around the holidays. Mail a check to 1959 Appling-Harlem Road, Appling, GA 30802.
There are several worthy organizations in Columbia County helping with the never-ending task of rescuing and adopting animals, and The News-Times each week provides space to those agencies to highlight their needs. This time of year, a clever fundraiser is the Kibble for Kritters campaign in which CSRA Happy Tails Rescue partners with Best Western Evans and its sister properties to collect pet food and other items. Details are available at www.kibbleforkritters.com.
Thats just a small sample of the needs right here in Columbia County. A generous donation would make a wonderful gift and a great tax deduction and it sure beats another fruitcake.