First let me state that my experience with the Dream Center is as a volunteer. That role still…read moreafforded me the opportunity to learn about the many great services they provide for Augusta and their team, but I do recognize that is not the same as if I were a recipient of their services. Centrally located in South Augusta, this facility is amazing. From the moment you arrive, the team is welcoming and smiling and making you feel like this is a family reunion and suddenly you are now a member. From the exterior it may appear to be nothing of worth, but trust me it is a treasure chest filled with benevolence. There is a weekly grocery pickup service, meals provided, food bank, clothing bank, community services mediation, and more. The facility is two stories and a basketball court-sized gym area. The team is collaborative in focus, which is what brought about my involvement with them, and always seeking to come alongside their neighbors. If you are looking for a local non-profit to volunteer with, start here.

I basically grew up at this community center!!! I was here for all kinds of things like summer…read morecamp, private parties, holding signage for political campaigns, and all kinds of other things. I can remember spending my youth in the gym, at the track, or just running around the area. This park is usually bustling with people and different activities. They added a pool in recent years so they are things going on there as well. There is also a senior center located here too. My grandmother would spend her days creating great ceramic artwork while she was here. I love that this place has something for the whole family to enjoy. The track is pretty large and normally filled with people getting in shape or trying to stay in shape. There is a basketball court here as well. I would spend my days sometimes watching others play and cheering them on!!! I haven't been here in years but I'm sure this place is still a great place for the whole family!!!!

By far my favorite thrift store in the Augusta area. They have everything here- clothes, shoes,…read morebooks, movies, appliances, furniture, toys, decorations, etc. Every time I come here they have something new. Most items appear to be in good condition and are very reasonably priced. I was able to get an entire bag of clothing for only $10. The store is run by a woman named Pat and several volunteers. All proceeds from sales here go towards running a homeless shelter for women and children. Whether you're thrifting to try and save money or reduce your environmental impact, I highly recommend checking this place out. They're also looking for volunteers, so if that's your thing this is a good place for it!

The staff is always very nice! You have to look, but you can get some great buys in there! And it…read morenonprofit so you're helping a good cause!

Fried chicken, roasted potatoes, and roasted asparagus all cooked exactly the way I like! Why?…read moreBecause I was in the kitchen supervising church members while we prepared lunch so that we could sit and eat with the men who stay at the Mission. If you are looking for a great way to help homeless men get back on their feet to return to their productive and happy lives, the Augusta Rescue Mission is a good place to start.

This organization is a great community changer. Every woman, young and old can benefit from this…read moreorganization. This organization helps with needs people take for granted. When you have to choose between food and the necessities people needs. We need to eat but if you have to choose food over toilet paper or hygiene needs. This Non-Profit helps people in need.

From the owner: At Revolution Red, we are dedicated to supporting women of all ages in our community. Our…read moreorganization is committed to ending period poverty and ensuring the well-being and dignity of women in need. Revolution Red is an organization that provides support to women and girls in need. Since our establishment in July 2023, we have been providing free menstrual care products to over 100 women on a monthly basis in the city of Columbia, SC. Our passionate commitment to ending period poverty and empowering women to lead healthy and confident lives drives us. Through our efforts, we collect and distribute feminine hygiene products to foster access to these essentials. By raising awareness and advocating for change, we strive towards a society where no woman is limited by the lack of menstrual resources. Together, we work towards a future where period poverty is eradicated, and every woman can embrace her period with pride and without barriers. At Revolution Red, we are passionate about supporting women in need and ending period poverty. Our organization provides free menstrual care products to over 100 women every month in Columbia, SC. We believe that every woman deserves access to these essential products, and we work tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for change. Join us in our mission to create a future where period poverty is eradicated, and every woman can embrace her period with pride and without barriers.

I love Saturday thrifting, so I decided to stop on my way to a Yelp event. This store was the…read morecleanest and most organized ever, they take pride. Bathrooms also clean. Very easy to find, lots of free parking, the store is huge, don't be in a hurry, just stroll and enjoy! They have a large bookstore & coffee shop attached for some down time. I will return to go thru all the books and movies. The bookstore is very organized also, which I like. I did purchase some warm chocolate cookies, which were yummy, customer service was on point... Make sure you visit, you wont be disappointed.

Yeah the shelves were stocked. Prices are still ridiculously high, but I guess they would rather…read moreput unsold stuff in the dumpster. I was told if items still have original price on them they were supposed to be marked 50% of that. Seriously ??? Most of the time the item is flawed or damaged in some way, or from past seasons. I have seen items in there that had yard sale stickers on them and GW marked them at some fantasy retail price. Holiday items are now marked with fixed prices and I guess stay on the shelves until they break or look so shoddy somebody pulls them for the dumpster. Store does look cleaner as well and cashier was very nice.

I stayed at Ronald McDonald House while my baby was in the NICU. When I first arrived, I was…read moregenuinely grateful to have somewhere to stay close to my baby, and I respected what the house was there to provide for families going through an extremely difficult time. Unfortunately, my experience eventually became very disappointing, and I want to share what happened from my perspective. There were several situations where I felt the rules were not communicated clearly or consistently. I was told that meals were not allowed in the rooms, but that certain snacks and water were okay. Based on what I was told, I understood that some food was permitted. Later, I was told, last minute, that food was not allowed at all, including snacks. I also had food and sauces that were clearly labeled and stored in the refrigerator thrown away while I wasn't even at the house. I was extremely upset about this because I had made sure my food was labeled and stored properly. I also had concerns about the animal policy. I did not realize that cats were not permitted, and at the time, I did not understand the difference between a certified emotional support animal from my licensed therapist for my mental illness and a service animal. I thought mental health would be appreciated and treated the same way as a service animal there. I didn't know they could be treated differently under the rules. I personally saw multiple dogs throughout the shared/public areas, including dogs on couches and floors. Seeing this gave me the impression that the house was generally welcoming to families with animals that are certified for disabilities and mental health. My cat was a certified emotional support animal. She was clean, well behaved, gentle, and not aggressive or destructive. I genuinely believed she would be a safe and respectful companion. I understand now that emotional support animals and service animals are not necessarily treated the same way, but I wish that distinction and the house's animal policy had been clearly explained to me beforehand. If allergies, cleanliness, or safety are concerns behind restrictions on pets, I can understand that, but my cat was an emotional support animal. Since she wasn't a service animal specifically for a disability, she was treated differently. I was also confused by seeing dogs regularly on shared furniture and floors, since people can have dog allergies as well. I am simply explaining why the policy was confusing to me as a guest. I also had concerns about my room and privacy. I was asleep when staff entered my room. There was one knock, but the door was opened almost immediately, giving me very little opportunity to wake up, respond, or make sure I was appropriately dressed. I found this extremely uncomfortable and felt that my privacy was not respected. The same staff member who entered my room was also the person who discarded my labeled food. After entering while I was sleeping, she questioned why my room was so messy. I found that comment judgmental and inappropriate. Families staying at Ronald McDonald House are there because their children are receiving medical care, and many are already under enormous emotional and mental stress. I believe it could have been addressed respectfully and professionally.I also noticed that my room did not have some of the basic furniture I saw other families having, such as a chair and end table. I would have appreciated having the same basic accommodations available to other guests.Eventually, I was told that I had two hours to leave. I immediately began cleaning and packing because I was ready to leave and had no intention of staying. However, within approximately 30 minutes, police were called and I was told to hurry up and leave. Police were brought into my room while I was still packing my belongings.I found this extremely disrespectful and upsetting because I was already complying with the request to leave. I do not understand why I was told I had two hours if I was not going to be given that amount of time. The situation was especially upsetting because I was already dealing with the stress of having my baby in the NICU. I want to be fair and acknowledge that I made mistakes during my stay. I take responsibility for my part in that. I am not claiming that I handled every situation perfectly. However, taking responsibility for my mistakes does not change how I experienced the way I was treated. I believe families staying at Ronald McDonald House deserve compassion, patience, privacy, clear communication, and respect, especially parents who are staying there because their children are receiving medical care. I will not be staying at Ronald McDonald House ever again. She was very rude and also needs proper training on customer service including the communication of the food and animal policies, the disposal of my labeled food, the way my room entry was handled.

This is a great concept but the staff here is horrible. They obviously have no concept of basic…read morehuman decency and kindness because when my aunt returned to her room from having a c-section and a complicated pregnancy, they made her wash her own sheets and clean her own room. Her water broke in the room and she returned... after 3 days... to it still there. The room was untouched. Thats disgusting and ridiculous! When she asked for help, there was no compassion. She was expected to figured things out for herself... and she could barely move around... she's been bound to a wheelchair for weeks. I understand this is a nonprofit so certain regulations must be put into place to accommodate large numbers but cleaning a struggling pregnant ladies room after she's been thru hell to deliver a baby is the absolute LEAST that I expect.