Women’s club helps shelter
People who seek shelter or aid from Butler’s domestic violence center may have nothing with them when they arrive at the agency. The Intermediate League of Butler did its part for the second time on Thursday, Sept. 25, when the organization donated about $1,000-worth of supplies to VOICE.
Danielle Fannin, president of VOICE’s board of directors, said Tuesday the agency tries to provide supplies like hygiene items, clothing and food to anyone who turns to it for help. Most of the people seeking help, she said, need the basics.
“Most donations we ask for are for daily needs,” Fannin said. “Sometimes they need everything.”
The Intermediate League helped VOICE last year when its members collected towels to give to the agency. Sue Evans, chairwoman of the league’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Committee, said the club’s donation drive came together quickly this year, but people were willing to give. This included gift cards to Amazon, which Fannin said come in handy when a client comes to VOICE with a specific need.
“We have a fabulous group,” Evans said. “We sent out a newsletter that we need donations and it came together.”
The committee’s goal is to increase awareness and to help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic and sexual violence in communities.
Tracy Veri, executive director of VOICE, said the agency is also preparing to host its Christmas supply drive, which gathers general supplies as well as specific donations for specific clients of VOICE. The drive helps supply the agency with items it needs throughout the year and Veri said donations can be made by visiting voicebutlercounty.org, or by emailing JessicaW@voiceforvictims.com.
Veri added that VOICE is changing its official title from the Victim’s Outreach Intervention Center to just VOICE, because the organization wants to focus on helping survivors of violence and abuse, she said
“We do so much more with survivors, advocacy,” Veri said. “We want to turn our attention to focusing on survivors.”
