People often say to give from the heart.
At the Augusta Training Shop, heart is in everything they do – whether it’s making gifts some even in the shape of a heart or re-caning chairs.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, volunteers and training shop staff gave away hearts to say “thank you” to those who gave to the residents of the Augusta area.
“In just four days, 61 volunteers created over 1,200 hearts, which we shared with the linemen who worked tirelessly to restore power. The resilience, kindness, and generosity of our town in the face of tragedy were nothing short of inspiring,” according to the organization’s website.
The training shop has been giving back since it began in 1947. The organization provides employment for adults with disabilities as well as a service to the community.
Once known as the Augusta Training Shop for the Handicapped, it started as a way to help adults with intellectual disabilities after they aged out of the school system. At the time, many of those adults were placed in institutions; families wanted something else.
Today, the approximately 15 disabled employees utilize their artistic and other gifts to create original art or crafts or to make repairs on antique or vintage furniture.
“I like doing the chairs. It’s really nice to do,” said Kasey Warning, a rehire this year who was previously employed for quite a few years.
With the attention of a true craftswoman, she focuses on ways to get better at her tasks.
“The most challenging thing is the knots on the (woven seats) on the chairs we repair,” Warning said.
Devon Sprague, user experience consultant, said their organization is one of the few places anywhere to get antique/vintage cane chairs repaired.
Employees are invested in what they create. They all put labels on their work, signing everything they do.
“I think it’s a source of pride to claim their work,” Sprague said.
Audrey Murell, the training shop’s executive director, emphasized their abilities not their disabilities.
“We live life according to our gifts, not our limitations,” she said.
In addition to repairing chairs, the training shop has more than 300 items for sale. Not only do they sell ornaments, wreaths, and décor, but they have original pieces of art, including prints. They sell seasonal items not only at Christmas but for Halloween, Easter and Hanukkah.
They can do custom décor but recommend inquiring in plenty of time for scheduling for the holiday, “because everything is handmade,” Sprague said.
Some items are available on Shopify but more can be found at their 1704 Jenkins St. location.
“When you purchase gifts from us, you are giving back to people who really want to work,” Murrell said.
Murrell, who once worked at Fatman’s, said she wants the organization to be seen as a place for gifts year-round, not just for holiday items.
Sprague said, “We are well-known for our snowflakes.”
They were originally made from leftovers from the custom repairs for the cane chairs.
“Leftover cane is also used for crosses,” she said.
They have also created Stars of David, bird feeders and birdhouses.
“We have artwork that we do (available as prints). We have Augusta sites in some of them. Some art is done in partnership with Augusta University,” she said.
They also have a musician series that AU interns may have assisted with, according to Sprague.
South Carolina author, former teacher and veteran journalist Ron Baxley, Jr. is currently writing a Southern television series. His latest novel, “O.Z. Diggs the Fifth Estate” is available in regional comics shops, bookstores, and gift shops. Reach him at ronbaxleyjr.com.
