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Lighting the Way: Updates from the Agency
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 Greetings,
This fall we received an extremely generous gift from HHHunt Homes, a much-needed renovation to our emergency shelter! The process of leaving an abusive relationship is one of the most dangerous and traumatic times for survivors. It is important for survivors that our shelter be safe, welcoming, allergen free, and attractively furnished so as to minimize stress. Research has repeatedly shown that one's environment, whether natural or man-made, has a profound effect on feelings, behaviors, general health, and productivity.
 HHHunt Homes selflessly donated the labor and materials to make long needed physical updates to the house, as well as, supplied donations of food, personal and household items. These new renovations make our emergency shelter not just a safe place to stay, but somewhere our survivors can call home as they face some of life's most challenging moments.
This generous gift was made possible because of a former client. This former client stayed at the shelter with her young son, overcame her crisis and transformed her life. After she moved out, she took a position with HHHunt Homes. Several months ago, she reached out to Cheryl Hunt, our Director of Safe Houses, to let her know that she was now able to give back, and that she had a transformational vision for the shelter. She said, "I envision new decorations, new furniture, a new roof, and so much more." She shared her story with Eric Drum, her sales manager at HHHunt Homes, and he agreed to support her efforts.
Eric reached out to HHHunt Home's vendors and asked for their help. He assembled a large team of
 contractors, who each took the lead in one of the areas needing repairs. Over a two-day period, they installed a new roof, garage doors, lighting fixtures, shower doors and toilets, landscaped the back yard, painted walls, assembled furniture, sanded floors, installed a new alarm system, bought new patio and living room furniture, and updated some of the electrical system. And they are returning next month to install new flooring on the second floor of the shelter.
Once all the renovations were completed, Susan Thweatt, one of our Client Service Advocates, donated her decorating skills and redecorated the bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, kitchen and offices. Our emergency shelter is now not only a place for survivors to find peace and safety, but also a beautiful environment for our staff to work.
We are so thankful for everyone from HHHunt Homes, who embraced the vision and worked tirelessly on this project. Your time and energy have made a tremendous difference! Thank you!
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Beacon of Hope Award Winner
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We are thrilled to announce that we will be honoring HHHunt Homes at our Beacon of H
o
p
e event on February 23, 2017 at Lewis Ginter Bot
anical Gardens.
The Beacon of Hope Award was created by Safe Harbor in 2007 to recognize an outstanding individual or agency that had been instrumental in breaking the cycle of domestic violence within the Richmond community. HHHunt Homes commitment to renovating our emergency shelter and providing a safe, welcoming environment for individuals escaping from violent situations increases the chances that the cycle of violence will be broken.
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Consider a Gift to Safe Harbor
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As 2016 comes to a close, please consider making a year-end donation to Safe Harbor. For over 16 years, we have provided the support that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault need to overcome their crisis and to transform their lives.
As you consider your year-end charitable gift, remember that gifts made now can generate deductions that could reduce your income tax bill in April.
How to support Safe Harbor:
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Donating via cash or credit card:
Gifts by check can be mailed to Safe Harbor, P.O. Box 17996, Richmond, VA 23226. If you make a gift by check, the date your check is received by Safe Harbor will be reflected on your receipt.
To make an on-line donation, go here. If you donate on-line, the date your payment is processed is considered the date of the donation.
Gifts of Stock or Securities:
If you own shares of mutual funds or stocks that have unrealized gains, then consider donating them to Safe Harbor, instead of donating cash. You'll be able to deduct the market value of the donated shares and avoid reporting the gains. Donated shares must have been owned by you for more than one year. Don't sell the stock first. Even though you give us the proceeds as a gift, the IRS will impose capital gains tax on your sale.
IRA Charitable Rollover:
If you are an individual over age 70½, an IRA Charitable Rollover might be the perfect way for you to make your year-end gift. An IRA Charitable Rollover allows IRA owners and beneficiaries over age 70 ½ to make a tax-free charitable donation up to $100,000 per year to one or more charities. This transfer counts toward the minimum required distribution rule for IRA accounts, and such distributions are free of both income and estate taxes.
If you haven't made a QCD yet this year but want to, it's important to act quickly. There is no grace period, so in order to be recognized as a 2016 donation, charitable distributions must leave your IRA by December 31.
If you are interested in learning more about making gifts of Stock or Securities, or learning more about the IRA Charitable Rollover, please contact Cathy Easter, Executive Director, at (804) 249-9472 ext. 11 or [email protected] to learn more. Thank you!
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No Room at the Inn Event to Benefit Safe Harbor!
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Experience the diverse celebration of joy in over 350 Nativities from around the world! The Preview Gala is held
Friday, December 2nd for adults featuring a festive evening of live music, party appetizers & wine, live and silent auction shopping! This event is held annually the weekend following the Th
anksgiving weekend at Church of the Redeemer, 8275 Meadowbridge Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 and proceeds will benefit Safe Harbor! Ticket purchase and more information here.
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Looking for a way to give back this holiday season?
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Our clients always benefit from the wonderful donations we receive and this time of year more than ever, families are looking for a little extra help. Please consider making a holiday bag for one of our families and drop it off by December 16th. We are also greatly in need of gas gift cards, grocery gift cards, and Walmart & Target gift cards. See our full Wish List
here.
Donations can be dropped off at our community office which is located at
2006 Bremo Road, Suite 201 (The Richmond Medical Park).
December drop off hours are Monday-Friday, 10 am - 4 pm. If these hours don't work for you, we can make special arrangements. If you have any questions, please call our office at (804) 249-9470 or email [email protected].
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Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers of the Quarter: Fall 2016
We are excited to honor three amazing volunteers this quarter! Our volunteers share their time and talent with us in so many different ways and our clients appreciate the hard work and dedication of our wonderful community and all of the gifts they give us each day.
Kimberly Kitchen is a Safe Harbor supporter that has sponsored Thanksgiving dinner
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Stella & Shelton Kitchen delivering Thanksgiving Dinner
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f
or our shelter clients for more than five years. She delivers the turkey and all of the fixings, ham,
cranberry sauce, desserts and drinks. She also provides gifts and pajamas for the children in the house. We are so lucky to have her!
Kim & her family share: "Several years ago, I was invited by Mary Maupai to attend one of the luncheons that Safe Harbor would host at the Jefferson Hotel. I learned a lot about the organization and its programs. I was able to hear from one of the ladies who had not only lived at the shelter, but was able to really, truly reinvent herself and her future thanks to the programs Safe Harbor offers. I attended a few Board meetings, but I was a new mom to a new baby and was hesitant to commit to something SO important if I didn't feel I could give my all at that time. Thanksgiving was the next immediate holiday and I decided what I could do at that time was to provide a Thanksgiving meal to the guests and caregivers at the shelter. I wanted it to be something they wouldn't expect and allow them to have that comforting meal in their safe place. That was six years ago, and I will tell you that, selfishly, we look forward to doing this every year. I've always brought my son and daughter along. They used to be little and in their car seats while I unloaded and now they proudly look forward to helping carry the meals and packages inside the shelter. They are 9 and 7 years old now, and although they don't completely understand the purpose of the shelter, they know they are helping the kids and the moms that they meet during our visit each year. Safe Harbor is a part of our family now. The "guests," volunteers, caregivers/employees have become a part of our family's Thanksgiving tradition that we plan to continue for years to come."
Am
ber Stanwix and Melissa Mitchell are both volunteers with our Court
A
dvocates, Paz & Judy. Paz & Judy said they just
"Iove, love, love working with them because they are enthusiastic and passionate about working with our clients in court. They bring positive energy and are caring, knowledgeable and professional during stressful times". Thank you to both of them for all of their hard work with our clients at court!
Amber
shares:
"
I'm Amber Stanwix and I've been volunteering as a court advocate since the beginning of September. People are often frightened and confused when they come to court; but we are able to help them through the process and provide comfort. I love knowing that I am really making a difference and helping people. Plus, working with Paz has been a great experience. She is so good at her job and I have learned so much from her!"
Melissa shares: "I joined the Safe Harbor family after reading the information on the website. I was searching for an organization that would allow me to truly give back to the community beyond the usual monetary donations. Safe Harbor offered a variety of opportunities to
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Melissa Mitchell |
volunteer that would allow me to use my skills and talents to help clients and support the organization. I enjoy being a friendly face during a difficult time. It blesses me anytime I am able to just sit or talk with a client and it helps them feel supported while trying to get through the court process. I believe in the ministry of Safe Harbor and the genuine concern of the staff shows in the great work it does. I am fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful organization."
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