Community Outreach

W.O.W. Community Outreach volunteers and events support local Aiken charities with monetary, in kind, and volunteer hour donations. In fiscal year 2023-2024, W.O.W. provided $98,107.30 to local charities through Community Outreach events and volunteer opportunities.  Over the years, total donations are a phenomenal $2,050,022!

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

Contacts:  Julie Brozowski or Carolyn Wilson

Women of Woodside come together annually to make the holidays special for some of those less fortunate in Aiken County. In 2023, the ANGEL PROJECT supported the following charitable organizations:
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 2024 are:  North Aiken Elementary School, Successteam Teen Mentoring and Aiken Senior Life Services.  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. 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

October 24th & 25th 2024

Contact: Becky Hill

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!  This year there will be a costume contest for the “Spookiest” and “Funniest”

TRASH & TREASURE

2025 Dates 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

2025 Date to be Announced

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 

September 21, 2024

Contact: Avery Sich or Anne Kelty

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 or Debbie Strock

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 

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

Next Drive:  October 21, 2024
Contact:  Lisa Orem
 

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: Susan Andrew or Leyana Raack

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.

Christ Central

Contact: Judy Floyd

Non-profit 501(c)3 organization
with locations in Aiken and Graniteville.

Meets the needs of the poor and disadvantaged by first providing basic needs, such as food and clothing.

Assists individuals in improving their lives and the lives of their families by teaching and training to secure and retain employment and stabilize families.

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:  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.

SCORE

Contact: Cindy Falk

W.O.W. is partnering with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors.

Our partnership is dedicated to helping small businesses in Aiken and the surrounding areas get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals by utilizing W.O.W. members’ business expertise as mentors and subject matter experts.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Date to be Announced

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. 

W.O.W. Fundraising Community Outreach Program

COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESULTS 2023-2024
 CASH & IN
AGENCY NAMEKIND 
 DONATIONS
  
A.C.T.S$2,000.00
Aiken Celebration of Character$200.00
Aiken Civic Orchestra$1,000.00
Aiken County Senior Life Services$5,214.66
Aiken County Family YMCA$1,000.00
Aiken County Historical Museum$1,092.50
Aiken Technical College$1,500.00
Aiken Women’s Club Special Olympics$500.00
Aiken Women’s Heart Board$275.00
Alzheimer Memory Walk$28,450.00
Can Hope$115.00
Child Advocacy Center$450.00
Children’s Place$1,275.00
Community Medical Clinic – Aiken$1,000.00
Cumbee Center$1,184.05
Family Promise of Aiken County$1,500.00
Friends of Aiken Symphony$1,000.00
Friends of the Animal Shelter$1,000.00
Golden Harvest Food Bank$20,009.44
Gravatt Camp A.I.R.$1,000.00
Helping Hands$2,500.00
Hopeland Gardens Concert Series$350.00
Mental Health America of Aiken$500.00
North Aiken Elementary School$4,797.65
Public Education Partners$1,000.00
SPCA Albrecht Center$1,000.00
St. Vincent de Paul of St Mary’s$1,000.00
Stand at the Crossroads Ministry$1,000.00
The Bridge 2 Home$1,000.00
Tri-Development Center of Aiken County$1,000.00
United Way Of Aiken$1,000.00
Wounded Warrior Charity Golf$325.00
Wreaths Across America $500.00
 $85,738.30
Spelling Bee Donation 
    North Aiken Elementary School$1,150.00
    FOTAS$1,260.00
    Can Hope$1,021.00
    The Charitable Foundation of Aiken 
         * Successteam$1,941.00
         * Great Oaks Equine$1,080.00
    Kisner Foundation$1,419.00
    Aiken County Senior Life Services$3,653.00
    Raffle-General Fund$845.00
Total Donations FY 2023-2024$98,107.30

*The Charitable Foundation of Aiken