Community Outreach
For over thirty years, the Women of Woodside have supported the advancement of our local community through volunteer services and financial contributions earned from our many FUNd-Raising activities. If you would like to be considered as a recipient, please visit Women of Woodside Request for Support by clicking here.
If you are a curious adventure seeker, new member, or a W.O.W. volunteer veteran, click on the links below to see what’s new and learn more.
Fundraising Events
Have FUN, meet new friends, and support local charities through FUNRaising events. Grab a friend and volunteer your time and/or money to raise funds for Aiken Charities.
ANGEL PROJECT
Julie Brozowski, or Carolyn Wilson, or Kathleen Bennett
Women of Woodside come together annually to help make the holidays special for some of those less fortunate in Aiken County. In 2024, the ANGEL PROJECT supported the following charitable organizations: North Aiken Elementary School, Successteam Teen Mentoring and Aiken Senior Life Services.
THIS YEAR WE’RE JUST ASKING YOU TO WRITE A CHECK! Our chosen charities for 2025 are: North Aiken Elementary, Aiken Senior Life Services, and the Matthews Foundation. Send your check made out to W.O.W. to Julie Brozowski or Carolyn Wilson. You may note your charity preference on the check.
In order to maximize the buying power of your donations, the agency staff will shop for the requested gift items.
Santa’s helpers are already out there looking for deals, so please send your check.
SPOOKY TO BE HUNGRY
October 30th & 31st 2025
Contacts: Kathy McNair or Sharon Daugherty
Costumed W.O.W. members will be standing at the Main, East, Village, and Anderson Pond Gates to collect money for Golden Harvest Food Bank. Spouses are welcome to join in the fun! This year there will be a costume contest for the “Spookiest” and “Funniest”
TRASH & TREASURE
March 7, 2026
Contact: Paula Mullin, Diane Hess and Anne Kohls
Your trash is somebody’s treasure! The W.O.W. garage sale will be held at Aiken Senior Life Services. W.O.W members rent tables and sell gently loved goods to Aiken residents.
One of the most sought after and well attended events on the Aiken Event Calendar!
SPELLING BEE
2026 Date to be Announced
Contact: TBD
This new event was so much fun and hysterical. Contestants compete to be crowned Queen or King Bee. Spellers raise money prior to the event to buy a lifeline or two! Raffles and bounty buckets (i.e. drop your cash in a bucket for charity) will accompany the event.
W.O.W. NEEDS WALKERS
September 13, 2025
Contact: Jane Thompson
PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM FOR THE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S
This is not a race, but a relaxed walk at your own pace with friends, family and even pets.
If you wish to support our efforts to end Alzheimer’s please join our W.O.W. team. All participants will be given specific information to make this year a success.
Last year we raised over $13,058 for the fight against Alzheimer’s.
BE A WINNER, BE A W.O.W WALKER.
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR
December 8, 2025
Contact: Colleen Pate or Terry Solfest
We will be selecting homes, forming a working committee, and organize a FUN day for this wonderful event – please reach out to reserve your spot to support W.O.W. now!
GARDEN TOUR
2026 Date to be announced
Contact: Chris Jakubec
Our last Garden Tour which was held on June 8, 2024 raised a phenomenal $14,000.00. The proceeds went into W.O.W.’s General Funds and were dispersed throughout several charitable and civic organizations.
We are hoping to host the tour every other year. The garden tour typically features five beautiful unique gardens within Woodside. We are looking for committee members and co-chairs to prepare for another fabulous event. Green thumbs are not required.
Volunteer Opportunities
Support local charities by volunteering in the community. Many of the volunteer opportunities can truly be completed in one day.
BLOOD DRIVE
Women of Woodside is pleased to partner with Shepeard Community Blood Centers four times each year by offering the opportunity to donate blood. Emails to our membership advise the dates and locations for donations. Lisa Orem has faithfully chaired this initiative each year.
Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions. Source: World Health Organization
Contact: Anne Kelty
For 22 years, Celebration of Character has recognized nearly 5,000 Aiken County students for their strong moral character and good choices.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT BARCLAY HOUSE
Contact: Tracey Spaeth
Do your jingle bells rock? Talented singers, heart felt hummers and wonderful warblers are welcome! Join the fun and carol for residents at Benton House.
CHRISTMAS AT HOPELANDS GARDENS
December 16th and 17th, 2025
Contact: Linda Vieweg
Grab a friend or two, spouse, or family member and volunteer to support this magical annual event. Each December, Hopelands Gardens is transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland with over two miles of lighted pathways with 10,000 twinkling lights and illuminated holiday displays. Volunteers needed to be greeters, monitors and workers at the refreshment stand each night.
HONOR MISSION
Contact: Lori Thomas
Writers of all ages are needed to compose letters to retired military veterans in Aiken nursing homes. This is a great opportunity to involve your grandkids! Lori Thomas leads the charge for this touching and heartfelt letter campaign. Expect to hear from her via a W.O.W. eblast before major holidays. Sometimes W.O.W. letters are the only cards the veterans receive. Every letter makes an impact, so please answer the Call.
SCHOOL READING PROGRAM
Contact: Claire Gaynor
W.O.W.’s adopted school is North Aiken Elementary School. New and gently used books are needed for the Birthday Book program. Many times W.O.W. Birthday Books are the only book a child has of their own. Other items we gather for students are sneakers, winter jackets, underwear, leggings for girls and sweatpants for the boys. Help a child improve their imagination, reading skills and love of books by volunteering today. Your time and donations can make a significant difference in the lives of these students.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
March 6, 2026
Contact: Michelle Carr
State Equestrian consists of Special Olympics Competitive Horseback Riders from across SC. Equestrians will participate in various events and be awarded based on how well they do in each riding event. Volunteers are needed to help with souvenir sales, lunch setup/cleanup, awards, and be hands-on deck for other tasks that may pop up.
W.O.W. Fundraising Community Outreach Program
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESULTS 2024 – 2025 |
|
| AGENCY NAME | CASH & IN KIND DONATIONS |
| A.C.T.S. | $1,500.00 |
| After School Program, 2nd Baptist Church | $500.00 |
| Aiken Celebration of Character | $250.00 |
| Aiken Center for the Arts Joy in the Journey | $800.00 |
| Aiken Civic Orchestra | $500.00 |
| Aiken County Family YMCA | $1,500.00 |
| Aiken County Historical Museum | $1,230.21 |
| Aiken County Substance Abuse | $500.00 |
| Aiken Senior Life Services | $4,328.25 |
| Aiken Symphony Orchestra | $1,000.00 |
| Aiken Technical College | $1,000.00 |
| Aiken Women’s Heart Board | $300.00 |
| Alzheimer’s Memory Walk | $13,058.00 |
| Can Hope | $615.00 |
| Child Advocacy Center | $500.00 |
| Children’s Place | $300.00 |
| Christ Central Ministries | $1,500.00 |
| City of Aiken – Hopelands Gardens Concert Series | $350.00 |
| Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County | $1,500.00 |
| Cumbee Center | $850.00 |
| Diana M. Floyd Scholarship | $500.00 |
| Family Promise of Aiken County | $500.00 |
| Friends of the Aiken Symphony | $1,000.00 |
| Friends of the Animal Shelter | $1,000.00 |
| Golden Harvest Food Bank | $23,589.70 |
| Gravatt Camp A.I.R. | $1,000.00 |
| Guide-Educate-Motivate (GEM) | $500.00 |
| Helping Hands | $750.00 |
| Joye in Aiken | $1,000.00 |
| Make-A-Wish Foundation of SC | $1,000.00 |
| Mental Health America of Aiken | $1,000.00 |
| North Aiken Elementary School | $2,755.00 |
| Pawsitive for Heroes CSRA | $500.00 |
| Public Education Partners | $1,000.00 |
| Second Baptist Human Development Corp. | $500.00 |
| Sigma Pi Chapter of Omega | $500.00 |
| SPCA Albrecht Center | $1,000.00 |
| St. Vincent de Paul of St. Mary’s | $1,000.00 |
| Successteam | $3,636.75 |
| The Salvation Army – Aiken | $1,000.00 |
| Tri-Development Center of Aiken County | $750.00 |
| United Way of Aiken | $2,000.00 |
| Wounded Warrior Charity Golf | $325.00 |
| Wreaths Across America | $500.00 |
| Total Donations FY 2024-2025 |
$79,387.91 |