COLUMBIA, S.C. — Local politics can sometimes seem silly. But Columbia's Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and other leaders have embraced silly for a seriously good cause -- Sistercare's annual fundraising and supplies event.
It's a two-pronged approach to get the agency the funding and everyday supplies that it needs to help victims and families of domestic abuse.
First: This Saturday, September 7, is the last in a series of Sistercare Saturdays on Main Street in Columbia. If you've ever wanted to dunk a local leader -- say, Columbia's mayor, city officials and council members, representatives from Columbia Police, Columbia-Richland Fire, Richland County Sheriff's Department, and local celebrities -- there will be in a a dunking booth during Sistercare Saturdays to raise money for the non-profit organization.
You can purchase tickets for the dunk booth -- $5 for three throws, $10 for seven throws, and $30 for an instant dunk -- online or in person 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at City Hall, 1731 Main St. Just bring a proof of purchase to one of the Sistercare Saturdays listed below and you'll be able to take aim and, possibly, dunk a local leader.
Sistercare Saturdays are 10 a.m.-1 p.m., during Soda City Market on Main Street, again, the last one is September 7.
If you cannot make it to one of the Sistercare Saturdays but would still like to make a contribution, you can do that online or you can buy raffle tickets to enter to win prizes from local businesses. Raffle tickets are $5 for one ticket, $10 for three, and $20 for seven tickets. Businesses offering raffle prizes include: Columbia Classical Ballet, 1-2-3- Jump! Columbia, Toms Creek Family Farms, Shvaas Spa, and Jamie Scott Fitness.
Second, if you can't make it out this Saturday, City of Columbia and Sistercare are still taking donations until October 5. The organizations are asking the public for donations of the following toiletry items:
- Facial wipes
- Deodorant
- Liquid hand soap
- Face cloths/towels
- Masks
- Feminine hygiene products
- Body wash
- Diapers
The items can be dropped off at the following locations, now through October 5:
- City Hall, 1737 Main Street
- City of Columbia Payment Center, 3000 Harden Street
- Columbia Richland Fire Department Headquarters, 1800 Laurel Street
- City of Columbia Parking Services, 820 Washington Street
- Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue
- Greenview Park, 6700 David Street
- MLK Park, 2300 Greene Street
- Woodland Park, 6500 Olde Knight Parkway
- All Good Books, 734 Harden Street
- Sunrise Artisan Bath and Body, 710 Saluda Ave
- Papa Jazz Record Shoppe, 2014 Greene Street
- Sunrise Café, 1801 Main Street
- Hawthorne Taylor Pharmacy, 1520-A Taylor Street
- Pure Barre, 2123 Greene St A
- The SKINHOUSE, 2000 Blossom St, Columbia (Offering 5% off services when donating, cannot be combined with any other offers)
- ColaKicks, 902 Harden St, Columbia
- Mast General Store, 1601 Main Street
- Azalea Coffee Bar, 2700 Devine Street
- Good For the Sole Shoes, 728 Saluda Ave
- Sweet GGs Bakery, 613 Harden Street
- The Food Academy, 301 Gervais Street
