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| Greetings!
In a few weeks, families will be setting tables, preparing favorite foods, and welcoming relatives for holiday gatherings.
While it's a festive time of year, for many it can be a poignant, painful reminder of someone who is missing.
Domestic abuse has left countless families with an empty place at their table.
Places that belonged to Kristin. Hollie. Ellen. Christen. Evyonne. Nila. They are people who have died, right here in Montgomery County, because of domestic violence.
Theirs are the stories that those who loved them have allowed us to include as part of Laurel House's memorial exhibit, The Empty Place at the Table.
 The exhibit (pictured here) has been on display this fall at Penn State University's Abington campus, Saint Joseph's University, and Girls Night Out. This weekend (Nov. 1) it will be on display at Jarrettown United Methodist Church in Maple Glen, and several more venues and events are planned for the next few months. (We'll keep you updated via our blog.) It's a powerful exhibit that brings home the issue of domestic violence.
That was evident on October 7 at Girls Night Out, when a woman approached in tears. She knew Hollie, one of the women remembered through An Empty Place at the Table, which was on display. Her daughter and Hollie had been born in the same hospital, in the same nursery as babies.
Hollie's family honor her memory through this Empty Place setting, which includes a photo of Hollie with her twins,
only 1 year old when she was killed.
In so many of the stories - in the Empty Place exhibit and that we hear on our hotline and in counseling sessions every day - the answer why is often elusive. What matters is the why we need to remember, and why we all need to help break the cycle of violence.
We do that through educational activities like An Empty Place at the Table that allow us to raise awareness among hundreds of people.
We set the table in our shelter's bright, homey kitchen that welcomes a family in crisis with a warm, nourishing meal, by giving a family the opportunity to gather around their own table, while living independently in one of our transitional housing apartments.
We gather around our tables to talk with our loved ones about troubling signs in relationships and with our teens about dating violence.
We do that because of the generosity of people like you, who help make this possible.
Thank you,
Beth
Beth E. Sturman
Executive Director, Laurel House
P.S. We're currently putting together some ideas for Holiday Giving this year, since quite a few of you have recently called asking about what items your group and organization can collect for our residents. Look for a separate email about our Holiday Giving Campaign within the next week. |
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During the past 30 days, many individuals, businesses and civic groups organized special projects and provided much needed donations to help the families and programs of Laurel House.
We are very grateful for your support!
Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd was the place to be on Wednesday, October 7 when more than 125 Laurel House supporters and their BFFs enjoyed a festive Girls Night Out. Read more here ...
Approximately 50 healthcare professionals received training as part of Laurel House's October 16 workshop, "Addressing Domestic Violence in the Health Care Setting."
Congratulations to student Artie Ziemer for winning first place in Laurel House's Teen Dating Violence Poster Contest. Artie was honored for his winning poster (pictured above) at a ceremony on October 22. Read more here ....
After a windswept and rainy weekend, Sunday October 25 was a perfect day for Laurel House's 10th Annual 5K DASH. Nearly 200 participants walked or ran (or both!) raising an approximate $20,000 for Laurel House's domestic violence programs.
Special Thanks to Event Sponsor Merck and Media Sponsor, The Reporter.
Patty and Anthony Mark run the 5K DASH route together. Patty is Laurel House's office administrator and often, the first voice greeting you on our phones when calling our administrative offices.
Volunteers lending a helping hand at registration and check in.
As always, an abundance of food was waiting at the finish line, all donated by local businesses and prepared by Laurel House volunteers and board members.
"Together We Can" ... and together a team of talented hair stylists and colorists came together to raise funds for Laurel House, as well as the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, through a special Hair Education Show on October 25. Participants were asked to bring canned goods to donate to both domestic violence programs. Special thanks to James Bret Dunlap for organizing this event!
Kildare's recently donated more than two dozen sandwiches - hot off its brand new menu - to the families at Laurel House for dinner. Kildare's was connected to Laurel House through NBC10 news reporter Tracy Davidson. Read more here ...
Police officers and other law enforcement personnel from Hatfield Township Police Department had a fast response time to our food drive - they were among the first to answer the call for food donations and, nearly two months later, are still continuing to support the shelter with regular deliveries of much-needed food.
Spring Mill Cafe recently held a culinary event highlighting the benefits of "slow food" and how the slow food movement can help connect families. Proceeds from the event were donated to Laurel House. Proprietor Michele Haines already has another benefit for Laurel House in the works!
Members of the Hearts and Hands club at Augustus Lutheran Church in Collegeville, Pa. created handmade afghans to help keep the residents of our shelter warm as chilly nights of autumn arrive. Thanks to this group and so many other crafters, we have plenty of cozy blankets for everyone in the shelter during the upcoming winter months!
Thank you all for your support!
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What's Happening in November?
Sunday, November 1
Jarrettown United Methodist Church
The Empty Place at the Table display will be at Jarrettown UMC in Maple Glen as this congregation kicks off a month of "mission Sundays" to benefit Laurel House. Speakers will also talk about Laurel House's programs with churchgoers.
Friday, November 6
(photos from last year's Basket Bingo)
6 - 10 p.m.
Limerick Fire Company
390 West Ridge Pike
Limerick, PA
Doors open at 6 pm with Bingo starting at 7 pm
$20 in advance; $25 at the door for 20 Regular Games
** Door Prizes, Raffles, Jackpots and More!! **
Early Bird Game for Advance Ticket Purchasers
*** BYOB ***
For tickets and information, contact:
Heather Chiarlanza
[email protected]
(267)228-0433
or
Tina Reynolds
[email protected]
(610)277-1860 ext.108
Longaberger, other baskets and collection names are the property of the Longaberger Company. This fundraiser is not sponsored by The Longaberger Company.
Tuesday, November 10
7th Annual "Breaking the Silence" Luncheon
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Country Club
Fashion Show presented by
Gold Sponsor
Molly Schneider/ KMJ Foundation
Georgiana Noll and Dasha Yermakova
2009 Breaking the Silence Co-Chairs
Cartier will present the Breaking the Silence Achievement Award to Allstate, in recognition of their consistent support of domestic violence prevention and supportive services programs nationally, and in tribute to their funding of Laurel House's Self-Sufficiency Project.
Saturday, November 14
Fine Crafts & Art Show
The Clubhouse at Reserve at Gwynedd Upper Gwynedd
With an emphasis on items that are of the highest quality, green, ethical, and made in the USA, the Reserve at Gwynedd presents its 3rd Annual Fine Crafts & Art Show, with proceeds benefiting Laurel House. As of press time, 25 artisans are signed up as exhibitors.
In 2008, the Show attracted 500 visitors and raised more than $1,000 for Laurel House. For information, contact Linda Levin at [email protected].
Sunday, November 15
Laurel House will be represented at the 3rd Annual Today's Woman Forum, hosted at Montgomery County Community College. (Details on the Forum here.)
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Laurel House in the News
 The Pottstown Mercury (10/12/09) had a great article about Marlene Williams, a former Laurel House resident who recently moved into her Habitat for Humanity home, thanks to the efforts of many local agencies (including Laurel House).
Bill Baldwin, Laurel House's Deputy Director, appeared on NBC10 Philadelphia's 5:30 p.m. newscast on October 13 and discussed the signs of domestic abuse and how to get help.
Laurel House's 5K DASH made the front page of The Reporter on October 26, with photo of Tina Reynolds triumphantly crossing the finish line. Read the article (and check out the great photos by Reporter photographer Mark Psoras) here. | |
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Laurel House's United Way #
Donor Choice - 2972
Did you know that your United Way contribution can be directed to Laurel House?
If your giving is through the United Way of Southeastern PA, you can specify that your United Way gifts be directed to Laurel House simply by designating Donor Choice #2972.
If your giving is through the North Penn United Way and you would like Laurel House to receive funds from your contribution, just write in Laurel House/Nehemiah's Way as your designation.
Thank you! | |
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GIVE TO LAUREL HOUSE
Your generous gift allows Laurel House to continue providing shelter, counseling, legal services, support to law enforcement, medical advocacy, and support groups so that more women have the opportunities they need to rebuild their lives and those of their children. Your contribution also helps us to continue to increase awareness of domestic violence and educate others about the warning signs of abuse.
You can make your gift securely online by visiting www.laurel-house.org and clicking on the Donations tab on the left.
Also, remember to check with your employer to see if there's a matching gift program available. Many businesses such as Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, AllState, Aetna, and Progressive Insurance - just to name a few - have established such programs, allowing your donation to Laurel House to make even more of a difference to people affected by domestic violence.
Laurel House is a 501 (c)3 organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsyvlania Department of State by calling toll-free in PA, 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. |
Laurel House
P.O. Box 764
Norristown, PA 19404
Administrative Offices: (610) 277-1860
24-hour hotline: (800) 642-3150
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