A Year of Generosity and Connection at Brandon Wilde
Brandon Wilde residents arrive on campus with decades of experience, purpose, and talent, and they have ample opportunity to give their time, talents, and resources to lift each other up and help their neighbors in the CSRA and beyond.
Whether supporting national causes like the Alzheimer’s Association or pitching in for hyperlocal needs, a spirit of service and warmth is woven into daily life at the senior living community.
For many who live here, giving back is more than a gesture of kindness. It’s a lifelong value and a meaningful way to stay connected, purposeful, and engaged. And for team members, walking alongside residents in these efforts is one of the most rewarding parts of being at Brandon Wilde.
Fundraising that Makes a Difference
Two of the community’s most significant philanthropic traditions support causes close to many residents’ hearts: the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the People in Parkinson’s (P.O.P.) Walk.
In the months leading up to each event, Brandon Wilde comes alive with creative fundraising — everything from bingo nights and chili cook-offs to bake-offs, silent auctions, and The Longest Day activities. These efforts add up in big ways. Residents and staff join forces to raise awareness, rally support, and contribute meaningful financial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association and local Parkinson’s organizations.
Meaningful Moments of Giving Back
But that’s just the start. Over the past year, Brandon Wilde has embraced countless opportunities to support the greater Augusta community.
One of the biggest efforts was the “It’s Spooky to Be Hungry” Food Drive, where residents and team members came together to donate 955 pounds of food and $865 to Golden Harvest Food Bank to support neighbors facing food insecurity.
Brandon Wilde also proudly sponsored The Rotary Club of Columbia County’s Annual Golf Fore A Child Tournament, a community event that raises funds for Alliance for Smiles, workforce development programs, and other Rotary service projects.
Other gestures are more informal, such as the heartfelt project led by residents Bill Buchanan and Blake Meadows, along with Chaplain Floyd Harrison. Together, they delivered homemade baked goods — everything from cookies and muffins to freshly baked pound cakes — to the Columbia County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office. It was a simple gesture that made a big impact, offering thanks to first responders who serve and protect daily.
Closer to home, the Wilde Companions continued their invaluable volunteer work, spending time with residents in the community’s memory care, skilled nursing, and personal care neighborhoods who could benefit from extra companionship.
A Puppy Yoga event hosted with Canine Pawsabilities brought joy to residents while helping socialize adoptable pups — a win for both people and pets.
And just before the school year began, Brandon Wilde hosted a “Stuff the Backpack” event to support RISE Augusta. Residents filled more than 200 backpacks with essential supplies for local students, an effort made possible by generous sponsorships and the hard work of the Spiritual Outreach Committee. It was a day filled with purpose, teamwork, and the shared belief that every child deserves a strong start.
“When you look at all the projects we take on, you see a generous community that remains connected to the world beyond our campus,” says Wellness Manager Rachel Lowery. “We try to create opportunities that match residents’ abilities and interests. Not everybody can go offsite and lift heavy boxes, but they can help package items, write notes, bake, knit, or sort supplies. There’s always a way to contribute.”
Supporting Each Other, Too
Generosity at Brandon Wilde extends to the people who make the community run every day: its dedicated team members. Each year, the Angel Tree program quietly and compassionately supports employees experiencing hardship. Anonymous wish tags — “one-year-old boy who loves teddy bears” or “ten-year-old girl who loves arts and crafts” — allow residents and colleagues to fulfill holiday gift wishes, without knowing who is giving or receiving. In addition to the gifts themselves, team members selected for the program receive grocery gift cards to help brighten the season.
This program reflects something deeply true about Brandon Wilde: residents and staff care for one another with sincerity and respect. The environment is tip-free, but that has never diminished residents’ desire to uplift team members in meaningful, appropriate ways.
A Community That Serves with Purpose
“Contributing to the greater good is beneficial to both the giver and the recipient,” explains Lowery. “Volunteering and giving back naturally foster several aspects of wellness in our holistic Eight Dimensions of Wellness program. Using lifelong skills nurtures vocational wellness, while emotional, social, and spiritual wellness is enriched through connection, compassion, and shared experiences.”
If you’re searching for a senior living community where purpose, connection, and vibrancy are part of everyday life, we invite you to experience Brandon Wilde for yourself. Schedule a personal tour at https://www.brandonwilde.com/contact/ or 706-868-9800 and discover how a meaningful, engaged, and fulfilling lifestyle can feel like home.