It wasn’t Santa who gave gifts to children at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia Dec. 10, but another famous persona from the North Pole.
Coca Cola’s Polar Bear mascot made rounds Wednesday bringing toys and smiles to children including 3-year-old Benjamin Spitzer.
“It was really fun. We needed some cheer,” said Benjamin’s mom, Jessica Spitzer.
Dec. 10 was Benjamin’s fourth day in the hospital, and he excitedly tore into his gifts containing toys such as stuffed animals, arts and crafts, puzzles, markers and his favorite – a light-up toy.
This is the second year Augusta Coca Cola has donated gifts to hospitalized children.
“It means the world to us. It’s an opportunity for our company, Augusta Coca Cola, to give back to the community and also put a smile on a child’s face,” said Pete Blackwell, Augusta Coca Cola sales manager.
Coca Cola partners with a company called Cheeriodicals for the toys and uses the giveaway as a team building exercise with its employees. More than 120 boxes were packed and delivered to the hospital. Not all of the boxes were distributed Wednesday; the leftover gifts will remain at the hospital for later use.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
