Back-to-School Magic at the HUB!

Written By Lane Taylor

On July 19, 2025, something incredible happened at the HUB for Community Innovation — thanks to YOU! 

1,414 book bags filled with supplies — a whopping $49,490 in community impact — were placed in the hands of children who are now ready to start school prepared and confident. That’s more than a number — that’s 1,414 bright futures launched! 

But the day wasn’t just about backpacks.  

  • 160 children received free vision screenings.  

  • Families got connected with RCSS for info on buses, Infinite Campus & more. 

  • There were hearing checks, blood pressure checks, healthy food demos, and so much more. 

  • Big shoutout to the magical princesses from Brown Beauty Magic, who lit up faces with songs, dancing, and face paint — and to Jay Jefferies, everyone’s favorite weatherman, for bringing sunshine to the day!   

  • The Books for Shay group gave away free books, and the mighty Elks Club grilled up over 2,000 hot dogs! 

Behind the scenes?

Wow, what a group of amazing people! . 

Volunteers — more than 50 for packing alone, from bank presidents to students — stuffed every single backpack. And on event day, over 100 more volunteers made sure everything ran smoothly, with heart and hustle. 

Let’s raise a round of applause for our suppliers: 

88.3 radio listeners, Brandon Wilde Residents, South State Bank, Augusta Junior Women’s Club, and the superhero crew at T-Mobile (who brought trucks and asked what more they could do)! 

And to all our partners —

Augusta University, the BASICS, Get Augusta Reading, the Health Department, MCG Dental School, RESA, the HUB for Community Innovation, Harrisburg Family Health, Augusta Locally Grown, Augusta Richmond County Library, RCSS, RISE Augusta, Harris Literacy Center, Boys & Girls Club, Youth Leadership Academy, Augusta National employees, SRS — thank you for showing what it means to be community strong! 

This day felt like Christmas —

not because of what was received, but because of how much was given. What a wonderful blessing!   

When people believe that what they give,  whether it be time, money, supplies or other things, they will show up. And you did. 

We may not be able to thank every single person by name and it is possible that someone was not acknowledged, but please know: 
You made a difference. 
You were seen. 
And the gratitude runs deep. 

 

Lane Taylor
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