Drive to collect items for domestic violence shelters across the Shenandoah Valley

FRONT ROYAL – A ​student led Destination Imagination Outreach team ​Full Hearts ​ is running a drive throughout the month of February to collect items needed by Domestic Violence Shelters in surrounding areas of the Shenandoah Valley.

WHAT: Full Hearts will place donation boxes in various stores and businesses across the Shenandoah Valley. The list of items needed include: Women/Children socks & slippers (all sizes), toiletries (full size), feminine hygiene, laundry detergent/softener, twin sheets and blankets, dish detergent, kitchen trash bags, salt and pepper shakers, ziplock bags, toilet paper/paper towels.

All products MUST be new The items will be divided among four domestic violence shelters: Response, Potter’s House, Laurel Center, and Choices.

WHO: Response, INC. – “Response is Shenandoah County’s only agency assisting those affected by sexual and domestic violence, and child abuse. We began as a grassroots organization in 1980, formed by concerned citizens to aid victims of domestic violence and their children.

In 1994 Response was given space at the Shenandoah County Farm, to operate a 14-bed shelter. In 1997 Response received funding to implement a court advocacy program. in 1999 Response added a sexual assault program. In 2000 Response received funding to begin providing prevention and intervention to teens. As we outgrew our space, we began searching for a larger building. In 2001 we purchased a large home in the county and opened a 28-bed shelter and were awarded funding to begin providing services to children. In 2005 Response began the Child Assault Prevention Project in Shenandoah County Schools.” For more information about Response, Inc., please visit www.responseva.org​.

The Potter’s House- A place of rest, refuge, and restoration. A traditional housing program for women and children that serves both people leaving bad situations and women and children needing housing.

The Laurel House: Intervention for Domestic and Sexual Violence – “The Laurel Center empowers victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing emergency housing, advocacy, support services, and education. We reach out to our community through education and awareness programs.”

Choices – “Choices is the Council on Domestic Violence for Page County, Inc. Confidential services are provided free of charge to any individual who is, or has been: a) Involved in a situation of physical, verbal, or emotional abuse. b) A victim of sexual abuse or rape. We are a non-profit organization funded solely through State, Federal, and Private grants, donations, community support and the United Way of Page County.”

WHERE: A variety of businesses in the Shenandoah Valley including: Strasburg- Strasburg Community Library Food Lion Recreational Center Winchester- YDC War Memorial Building Shenandoah University Spiritual Life Front Royal- Selah Theatre Project Lester And Mowery’s Pharmacy Community Center Luray- Page County libraries in Shenandoah County and Luray Luray Chamber Of Commerce

WHEN: The drive will last through the month of February. Domestic Violence Statistics:

● Every day in the U.S, more than three women are murdered by their husband or boyfriend.
● Studies show that up to 10 million children witness domestic abuse annually.
● Every 9 seconds in the U.S., a woman is assaulted or beaten.
● Ninety-two percent of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top concern. Stats via: http://domesticviolencestatistics.org/domestic-violence-statistics