Mental Health America of Aiken County hosts Bloodies and Bagels – Charleston Post Courier

Bloodies and Bagels brought Aiken residents out on Thanksgiving morning to enjoy drinks and breakfast while supporting Mental Health America of Aiken County.

The Aiken County Historical Museum was full of people enjoying live music, beverages and bagels on Thursday morning. All the proceeds from the event benefitted Mental Health America of Aiken County.

All the proceeds today go to Nurture Home because that's one of our most expensive programs that we run, said Executive Director BonnieAnne Fulghum. And it's a shelter for ladies that have mental illness that are homeless that come to the shelter. Its beautiful and they get healed there and they're able to then theyll transition out into the the community.

While the event was free to attend, people were required to register beforehand, and all spots were taken ahead of Thanksgiving Day. The sellout crowd was bittersweet for Fulghum.

Its fantastic that people want to come and support us and enjoy a Thanksgiving morning with the fellowship, and it's a great thing, she said. But it's also bittersweet because we want everybody to be able to participate.

A variety of bagels were provided by Panera Bread and people had a choice of enjoying a Bloody Mary, apple cider, hot chocolate or hot coffee. Families brought their children and pets to enjoy the sunny, clear weather out on the lawn of the Aiken County Historical Museum.

Avery Stewart came with her grandmother, Linda Grasso. The pair also brought their two dogs, Peanut and Lake, to enjoy the event.

Stewart recently moved to Aiken and came to experience an Aiken tradition.

Its a really nice event, Grasso said.

This is Bloodies and Bagels' 14th year in Aiken and the third year that MHA was host for the event. Brodie Porterfield also provided live music for attendees to enjoy throughout the morning.

The Thanksgiving event had a variety of sponsors, including Tito's Vodka, The Willcox, Cole's Funeral Home and more. Fulghum said these sponsors are what allow them to keep Bloodies and Bagels free to attend.

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Mental Health America of Aiken County hosts Bloodies and Bagels - Charleston Post Courier