More than 6,000 people, mostly women and children, benefited from services provided by the Resource Center for Women and Their Families ojn Homestead Road in the past year.
"We received 5,600 calls on our hotline last year, and provided free, emergency shelter, counseling and other support to about 850 people," said Cathy Cummings, the center’s executive director. "Our mission is to prevent domestic violence. Because we are a non-profit organization, our ability to fulfill that mission depends on support from our communities."
Ms. Cummings says that a number of events are scheduled for October to give businesses and residents an opportunity to support the center and its services. The events coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed every October throughout the nation.
Events in Somerset County include:
A candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. tonight in the jury assembly room of the Somerset County Courthouse. The vigil will include the reading of 18 names of Somerset County residents who have died because of domestic violence in the past 20 years. In addition to remembering the lives lost, the vigil will celebrate the survivors. One by one, victims of domestic violence will step up to the microphone and share their personal victories over violence. The event will also include remarks from local law enforcement officials.
"Benefit Days" at Border’s in Bridgewater on Oct. 13 and 14. Shoppers can pick up coupons at Somerset County libraries and use those coupons when making purchases. Border’s will donate 15 percent of each coupon sale to the center.
A raffle prize for a seven-day trip for two to Monaco. Raffle tickets are $50 each. Air France and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Company are donating the prize, which is valued at $4,200.
"A Starry Night in Monaco" gala at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at 300 N. Maple in the AT&T Learning Center in Basking Ridge. The black-tie event will feature dinner, dancing, gaming tables and live and silent auctions. Auction items include a $3,000 diamond necklace from Bentley’s Fine Jewelers; a weekend at a villa in Scotland; a one-week vacation at a condo in Ocean City; a signed New York Giants poster; an autographed book by Derek Jeter; eight tickets to a New Jersey Devils games; a $500 gift certificate to Wegmans; and handmade quilts.
For more information about purchasing raffle tickets, attending the gala or donating items to the auction, call Susan Klejst, the center’s director of development, at 359-0003, ext. 109.
