🌱 $1M For Affordable Housing + More COVID-19 Cases At Memorial Health

Hello, everybody! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny, breezy and cooler. High: 50 Low: 29.

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Here are the top three stories today in Savannah:

1. The Savannah Affordable Housing Fund received a $1 million donation from the Galvan Foundation. Members of the foundation were recognized for their donation — the largest-ever private donation to date — at Thursday's city council meeting. The funds have been slated for the development of 19 new properties in Cuyler-Brownsville. (WSAV-TV)
2. A local organization is seeking lightly-used jackets and coats for charity. From Jan. 16 through Jan. 31, Outside Savannah will accept jackets, sweaters, and blankets for those in need of warmth this winter. Donations can be dropped off at Old Savannah City Mission; those who contribute can receive a discount on a new jacket from Outside Savannah's store. (WSAV-TV)
3. Savannah-based Memorial Health reports seeing an increase in COVID-19 patients. Dr. Tim Connelly, internal medicine specialist at Memorial, said the hospital has 20 patients who are testing positive, along with some flu patients. Connelly encourages the community to get vaccinated for both the flu and COVID-19. (WJCL News Savannah)

Today in and around Savannah:

• Crafts At The Cottage Ft. The Tinted Tide Art Bus At The King And Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island (10:00 AM)
• Georgia Arbor Day Tree Planting At Wormsloe State Historic Site (1:00 PM)
• Shen Yun At Savannah Civic Center (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Savannah Police Department is asking the public for information on Jimaya Jackson, 21, who is wanted in connection with a child custody case. Jackson could be in the Savannah area or Gwninett County, according to a Facebook post by the department. (Savannah Police Department via Facebook)
• Alderman Kurtis Purtee reports the Savannah Mall is not closing. Purtee told WTOC he discovered Thursday that some stores are scheduled to relocate; however, others will remain open in the mall. (WTOC)
• Looking for some live music? The Steep Canyon Rangers are headed to Victory North Savannah on Saturday, Feb. 18. Tickets can be purchased online. (Savannah Music Festival via Facebook)

That's it for today. See you all Monday morning for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.