You can make the holidays brighter in your community by giving back this season.
One of my favorite holidays traditions is a stocking fundraiser I help to coordinate for a local women’s shelter.
Last year we donated 95 stockings, and over the last 13 years we have raised over 968 stockings. This years goal is 75 stockings.
This confidentially located shelter, provides a safe, caring environment for women and their children fleeing from domestic violence. Offering counseling, support, and advocacy to help these women and children and provide a chance to heal.
To put into context the circumstances and needs of these children, many of them have fled with what they could carry. That being said, things like mitts, toques, tooth brushes, games, coloring item, and toys help to provide some simple necessities and entertainment.
Local Support
This Stocking fundraiser has been tremendously successfully due to support of a couple of local business like The Great Little Box Company, and With Our Own Two Hands Preschool. Over the years, the friends, family and employees within these communities have contributed dozens of stockings, toys and gifts.
It’s so much more than a Stocking Fundraiser
- Its supporting these families while they overcome their trauma and rebuild their lives in a safe space.
- It’s letting them know they aren’t alone.
- It’s the start of a conversation that opens the door to what domestic violence is. A pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wounds someone.
- A conversation that I hope brings awareness to the fact that domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender, and people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education level.
- A gift that says, although there are people in this world that will hurt…..there are so many more willing to help.
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- 2021 Stocking fundraiser
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- 2019 Stocking Fundraiser
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- 2018 Stocking fundraiser
Ultimately these stockings are a small but important steps toward raising awareness. Education and community awareness can help to reduce the perceived stigma that causes many victims to suffer in silence.
If you are interested in more information, or would like to sign up to participate, please head over to my Instagram Page and message me.
