BRIEFS

Good Deeds for Aug. 25

Staff Writer
Augusta Chronicle
Mary Commons, director of the Aiken Technical College Foundation, led the college's initiative to bring a Blessing Box to campus. Initial funding was used to purchase items to fill the Blessing Box. Here, Commons is seen stocking the Blessing Box. [SPECIAL]

ATC Foundation unveils Blessing Box

The Aiken Technical College Foundation on Aug. 21 opened a "Blessing Box" on campus to help provide basic needs for students and their families.

"There are students on campus who don't know where their next meal is going to come from or how they are going to feed their children," Foundation Director Mary Commons said. "Our faculty and staff really get to know our students and students will confide in them that they are in a difficult situation and need help with food, personal care items and help with their children."

The box, located outside of the College’s Student Activities Center, includes non-perishable food items such as canned foods, powdered drinks, baby food and toiletry items.

Funding for the box came from the foundation, the Rotary Club of Aiken and the U.S. Marine Raiders at Camp Lejeune, N.C., who used the campus for training. Other community partners for the initiative include the Aiken County Career and Technology Center, Foundation of Life men’s group, and Habitat for Humanity.

A fund has been created for the Blessing Box at ATC Foundation, P.O. Drawer 696, Aiken, SC, 29802. Donations also can be made online at www.atc.edu/foundation or by calling (803) 508-7413.

BI-LO, Harveys host military month

Augusta-area August BI-LO and Harveys Supermarket stores are saluting area military personnel with a special discount and celebration through Aug. 31.

The stores will offer active-duty and veteran service members a 10% discount off total purchases to shoppers with a military ID or driver's license with a veteran designation. Store locations include: 2803 Wrightsboro Road, 2512 Tobacco Road, 3457 Peach Orchard Road and 1631 Gordon Highway.

Discount excludes alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pharmacy prescriptions, fees, FTD, charitable donations, Western Union, shipping, utility payments, fuel, service departments, vending machine, bottle deposits/refunds, tax, event tickets, prepaid products or lottery purchases.

Final 'Art of Chocolate' set Sept. 28

Child Enrichment Inc. will host its 24th and final Art of Chocolate fundraiser Sept. 28 at the Augusta DoubleTree Hotel.

The black-tie optional event featuring desserts, live music by the South Atlantic Band, and a silent gift basket auction with proceeds benefiting children that have experienced abuse and neglect in our region. The nonprofit, which operates the Child Advocacy Center and the Court Appointed Special Advocates programs, is planning a new fundraiser in fall 2020.

Tickets are $80 each and are be available at www.ChildEnrichment.org, or by phone at (706) 737-4631. Tickets may also be purchased at the event.