SAVANNAH COMMUNITY HEADLINES SEPTEMBER 2025

(HILTON HEAD) Libraries For Kids, Int’l continues to put books in more schools in Kenya and is planning for expansion into Uganda and Tanzania. Since 2020, Libraries For Kids, Int’l has shipped over 1.1 million books, creating libraries in 9,235 rural schools in Kenya and impacting the lives of 2.3 million children. In August, the group delivered 200,000 books to schools from their warehouse in Kenya and shipped an additional five 40-foot containers with approximately 200,000 more books. The organization is also working on a project to ship a container to Uganda. Watch WHHI TV’s recent interview with Founder Roy Austin:

https://www.libraries4kids.org/home

(SAVANNAH, GA) Don’t let the summer COVID surge crash your plans. According to the CDC, Georgia is currently experiencing a likely growing trend in COVID-19 infections. Data shows test positivity was 4.8% in mid-July, up from 3.7% the previous week. This follows a national trend reported by CBS News in late July, that COVID-19 cases are rising in many states, including Georgia, as a summer wave appears to be starting.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Leadership Savannah is now accepting applications for the Class of 2026. Seize this opportunity to grow your leadership skills, connect with change-makers, and help shape the future of our community. This year-long, immersive experience kicks off in January and wraps up in November. You’ll never see Savannah the same way again. Applications close September 30.

https://www.savannahchamber.com/leadership-savannah/apply/

(WTOC) On Welcome To Our Community, WTOC had the chance to introduce an icon in our community, Diana Morrison. 37 years ago, she started her branding business Ad Speciality, from the trunk of her car.

https://www.wtoc.com/2025/08/05/woman-owned-branding-business-discusses-success-savannah/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_i-FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHk_oQPnn4dot9Z7wwdAaWri8LTkFM3GDH1RJI83rX5OiA1z6_LSHfYAY7dnC_aem_gZFk5YSmF7YoHcxfY24V5Q

(SAVANNAH, GA) Heads-Up Guidance Services (HUGS), a Savannah-based nonprofit, is pleased to announce the return of its signature fundraising event, Play It Forward, taking place Friday, September 12, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at the Alee Shrine Temple Arena in Savannah. Now in its second year, this high-energy evening of gaming, dining and entertainment directly supports HUGS’ mission to make professional mental health services affordable and accessible across the Low Country.

https://carriagetradepr.com/hugs-to-host-second-annual-play-it-forward-fundraiser/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Run for Her 5K, a community walk/run supporting women and children facing homelessness, will take place Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2414 Bull St. This free event is a partnership between the International School of Story and Old Savannah City Mission. Participants are encouraged to register at runsignup.com/Race/GA/Savannah/ForHer to receive a race T-shirt and medal. Donations to support the Women’s Housing Project may be made at SecureGive. https://app.securegive.com/oscm/main/donate/category

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) – The 20th Annual Buddy Walk will take place in Forsyth Park in Savannah, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the one-mile Buddy Walk at 10:30 a.m. The Family Fun event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Buddy Walk is a time of celebration and community, raising awareness and support for individuals with Down syndrome. Proceeds from the event benefit programs such as Camp Buddy, summer camps in Effingham County and Chatham County, designed to help students retain their skills over the summer break. Funds also support LDSS’s Family Support meetings, new parent packets, and educational opportunities for local families and advocates. Registration for Buddy Walk 2025 is $15. Those who register will receive a Buddy Walk T-shirt. Participants can join an existing team or create their own.

https://ldssga.org/buddywalk/

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah Sunrise Rotary Club will host its 3rd Annual Trick-or-Tee Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at the Savannah Country Club, 501 Wilmington Island Road. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Since its founding, Savannah Sunrise Rotary has raised more than $156,000 for local charities. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will primarily benefit Urban Hope and Sound Start, with additional support for other local nonprofits making a difference in the community. Registration is $200 per individual or $800 per team of four. Early registration is encouraged, and contributions are due by Oct. 10, 2025. visit To register or secure sponsorship, contact Lisa Pinyan at 912-658-5500

(SAVANNAH, GA) Parkside home cul-de-sac with newer construction with craftsman style for sale. Solar power with battery backup. $619K https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1703-E-50th-St-Savannah-GA-31404/14171264_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

(BLUFFTON, SC) Libraries for Kids, International www.libraries4kids.org is pleased to announce an author talk featuring Pat Branning on Monday, September 15, 2025. Branning is the best-selling author of seven southern cookbooks and the past editor-in-chief of a regional magazine. She has been a journalist for 50+ years.

https://carriagetradepr.com/libraries-for-kids-international-www-libraries4kids-org-is-pleased-to-announce-an-author-talk-featuring-pat-branning-on-monday-september-15-2025/

(SAVANNAH, GA) With more than three decades of experience guiding leaders, teams and organizations through growth and change, Cathy Girardeau, ACC, has announced the expanded launch of CG Coaching and Consulting LLC. The Savannah-based firm, founded in 2022, is being introduced more broadly through a new marketing initiative designed to share its mission and services with a wider audience. Girardeau, an International Coaching Federation Associate certified coach, brings extensive human resources leadership experience spanning higher education, manufacturing and corporate environments, including Gulfstream Aerospace, South University and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her practice offers leadership development, career transition coaching and organizational culture transformation. https://cathygcoach.com/veteran-hr-leader-and-certified-coach-expands-reach-of-cg-coaching-and-consulting-llc-with-new-marketing-launch/

(SAVANNAH, GA) Are you retired from the state of Georgia? The Georgia State Retirees Association is a membership-based 501©4 agency. The GSRA advocates for active and retired state employees. To become a member, visit: https://www.mygsra.com. The local chapter’s email address is segamembership@mygsra.com and the next chapter meeting is September 15th from 10 am to 12 noon, at the DFCS Building, 761 Wheaton Street, Savannah. Follow GSRA on Facebook at Georgia State Retirees Association.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Savannah Film Alliance will hold its next meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in the Eckburg Auditorium at Savannah Technical College. The auditorium is located at the rear of the campus, across from the large parking lot. Organizers said the meeting will include exciting updates and helpful information for attendees. Additional details will be shared as the date approaches.

(SAVANNAH, GA) United Way of the Coastal Empire announces Tara Nobles has joined its leadership team as vice president of Marketing and Communications. In this role, Nobles will lead the organization’s strategic communications, storytelling and community engagement efforts. www.uwce.org.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Community Archives Initiative with the launch of digital crowdsourcing capabilities. Designed to reach and engage a broader statewide audience, this digital extension empowers the public to contribute directly to preservation and accessibility of Georgia’s history. Through features such as photo tagging and transcription of historical documents, participants will help make GHS collections more searchable and useful to researchers, educators, and the general public.

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Democratic Party of Chatham County will host its first annual golf tournament on September 11, 2025, at Henderson Golf Club in Savannah. The event, themed “Honoring Legends and Supporting the Families of 9/11 Casualties,” will raise funds for the Families of Freedom Fund. Golfers and guests will pay tribute to 9/11 victims and celebrate local leaders, including Al Scott, Jesse Blackshear, former Savannah mayors Otis Johnson and Edna Jackson, and current Mayor Van R. Johnson. The day includes a 4-person scramble tournament, contests, prizes, and a post-game BBQ lunch. For registration or donations, visit https://mailchi.mp/fd46677c5e4e/dpcc-announces-golf-tournament-to-honor-casualties-and-families-of-911

(SAVANNAHNOW.COM) Help solve Savannah’s case of the missing White Bluff Elementary time capsule SAVANNAHNOW STORY