08-05-2025
Local small business, Charm and Char, raising funds for Columbia County deputies
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – People in the community are continuing to donate and support the families of fallen Columbia County Deputy Brandon Sikes and injured deputy Gavin White.
Charm and Char is a local small business that sells fashion accessories, home décor, and more. Owner Tanya Smelker was asked to make stickers in honor of Deputies Brandon Sikes and Gavin White. But she wanted to do more than just create and sell.
''Hey, do you have the capacity to make stickers?' said Tanya Smelker, Charm and Char LLC. 'And I was like, yeah, I do have the capacity to do that. Instead of charging for my services, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to raise money for the Sikes and the Whites families.'
Smelker sold stickers last week at her booth at the Evans Market. But the interest was much greater.
'Everybody was like We can't make it like we can order online, and that's when the online sales just exploded, so to speak,' said Smelker.
The stickers are 8 dollars. Smelker is also selling hats, which are 20 dollars. Smelker and some from the Wives of Columbia County Sheriff's Office have helped her package and send off the items. 100% of the proceeds from the stickers and 10 dollars from each hat will go to the families. She's raised more than 2500 dollars from those sales as of Tuesday.
'Absolutely mind blowing to me, like I did not expect that. I expected maybe like $500 bucks,' said Smelker.
Charm and Char will be at the Columbia County Unity Fundraiser this Saturday.
'We're going to have some more stickers over there. I'll have my box with me, and I'll have some hats with me,' said Smelker.
Orders will be taken until May 10th, and she plans to give the donations to the families next week. If you want to order, you can do so on Charm and Char's website or you can attend the Columbia County Unity Fundraiser this Saturday.
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