Community Outreach
W.O.W. Community outreach volunteers and events support local Aiken charities with monetary, in kind, and volunteer hour donations. In 2022-2023, W.O.W. gave $87,368.37 to local charities through Community Outreach events and volunteer opportunities. Over the years, total donations are phenomenal $1,951,915!
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.
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 fundraising activities.
If you would like to be considered as a recipient, please visit Women of Woodside Request for Support.
For additional information, please contact us by clicking the CONTACT US button at the top right of this page.
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
Contacts: Julie Brozowski or Margie Robertson
Women of Woodside come together annually to make the holidays special for some of those less fortunate in Aiken County. In 2022, the ANGEL PROJECT supported the following charitable organizations:
CHILD ADVOCACY – Your donations were used to buy gift cards that were distributed by the Center to clients who need meals, clothing or other essentials.
CHILDREN’S PLACE – Your donations provided winter essentials such as socks, shoes, and coats to children who have adversity in their lives.
NORTH AIKEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – Your donations went towards filling backpacks with school supplies, clothing, and toiletries for needy students.
SENIOR LIFE SERVICES – Your donations provided Christmas gifts to deserving seniors. These gifts may include clothing, toiletries, and special food treats.
THIS YEAR WE’RE JUST ASKING YOU TO WRITE A CHECK! Our chosen charities for 2023 are: Children’s Place, North Aiken Elementary School and Senior Life Services. Send your check made out to W.O.W. to Julie Brozowski or Margie Robertson. 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. If you want to help with the shopping, call Julie or Margie and we’ll get you temporary Elf Status!
Santa’s helpers are already out there looking for deals, so please send your check.
SPOOKY TO BE HUNGRY
2024 Date to be announced
Contact: Kathy McNair
Costumed W.O.W. members will be standing at the Main, East and Village Gates to collect money for charity. Spouses are welcome to join in the fun! contact Kathy McNair.
TRASH & TREASURE
2024 Date to be announced
Contact: Paula Mullin or Diane Hess
Your trash is somebody’s treasure! The W.O.W. garage sale will be held at Odell Weeks Activity Center. 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
April 17, 2024
Contact: Kathleen Bennett
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
2024 Date to be announced
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 $32,790 for the fight against Alzheimer’s.
BE A WINNER, BE A W.O.W WALKER.
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR
2024’s Date is scheduled for December 9th
Contact: Linda Walters
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
June 8, 2024 (rain date June 15th)
Contact: Chris Jakubec or Sharon Daugherty
Our last Garden Tour raised $9,846.97 for Stand at the Crossroads Ministry. For over twenty years, Crossroads has supported and developed women and their children who are in transition. A special thank you to Woodside Development Company LLC who was the Premier Sponsor of the last Garden Tour.
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.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT BENTON HOUSE
2024 dates to be announced
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
2024’s Date to be announced
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: Alice Canerday
Writers of all ages are needed to compose letters to retired military veterans in Aiken nursing homes. This is great opportunity to involve your grandkids! Alice Canerday and Lynda Mann lead the charge for this touching and heartfelt letter campaign. Expect to hear from them 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
Event scheduled for April 26, 2024
Contact: Linda Walters
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.
BLOOD DRIVE
Dates to be announced
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
For 21 years, Celebration of Character has recognized nearly 5,000 Aiken County students for their strong moral character and good choices. The joint womens clubs of Aiken’s community works with school counselors and designated representatives in each school to coordinate student nominations. The nominated students receive a packet containing their nomination and picture, a certificate, a copy of the ceremony’s program and their picture in the newspaper.
Community Outreach Results 2022-2023
| AGENCY NAME | CASH & IN KIND DONATIONS |
| A.C.T.S. | 1,500.00 |
| ABBE Regional Library System | 1,000.00 |
| Aiken Celebration of Character | 200.00 |
| Aiken Civic Orchestra | 500.00 |
| Aiken Co. Senior Life Services | 3,057.71 |
| Aiken County Historical Museum | 1,440.00 |
| Aiken Symphony Orchestra | 1,000.00 |
| Aiken Technical College | 1,500.00 |
| Aiken Women’s Heart Board | 275.00 |
| Alzheimer Memory Walk | 32,790.00 |
| Can Hope | 1,118.00 |
| Child Advocacy Center | 3,200.00 |
| Children’s Place | 2,100.00 |
| Community Medical Clinic-Aiken | 1,000.00 |
| Cumbee Center | 1,500.00 |
| Equine Rescue | 1,000.00 |
| Friends of the Animal Shelter | 600.00 |
| Golden Harvest Food Bank | 19,122.66 |
| Gravatt Camp A.I.R. | 1,000.00 |
| Guide-Educate-Motivate | 1,250.00 |
| Hopeland Gardens Concert Series | 300.00 |
| N. Aiken Elementary School | 4,365.00 |
| Public Education Partners | 1,000.00 |
| Salvation Army | 2,000.00 |
| SPCA Albrecht Center | 500.00 |
| Stand at the Crossroads Ministr | 1,000.00 |
| Tri-Development Center | 1,250.00 |
| United Way of Aiken | 1,000.00 |
| Wounded Warrior Charity Golf | 300.00 |
| Wreaths Across America | 500.00 |
| Total Donations | $87,368.37 |