Holiday donations fill shelter for victims of domestic abuse

AUGUSTA, GA. – Through the generosity of Georgia Regents University faculty and staff, the College of Education collected thousands of dollars of toys and toiletries in our Home for the Holidays donation drive for SafeHomes of Augusta (photos below).

The College of Education undertook its first-ever holiday donation drive in December, and chose the local domestic violence advocacy organization because of its direct impact on the community. Safe Homes provides a haven to all victims of domestic violence, and their services are free. Most of their funding is raised locally through donations from individuals, businesses, charities, and special events.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the College of Education,” said Fran Sunderland, Director of Data Analysis & Educational Certification, who spearheaded the drive. “This was a last-minute decision that resulted in an enthusiastic response by both the College of Education family and those approached in the community.”

With just under one month to solicit and collection donations, the College of Education’s Christmas tree bloomed with books, clothes, dolls, games, gift cards, puzzles, sporting goods, sweets, toys, and toiletries for the children and their parents. The shelter was also given new basketball, soccer, football and kickball equipment for activities and exercise, along with new books, and a new DVD player and DVDs for community entertainment and education.

In all, it took two cars loaded with gifts and resources to deliver everything to the SafeHomes administrative offices on Merry Street.

The College of Education would like to thank:

Baymont Inn & Suites on Riverwatch Parkway, who donated a collection of toiletries
Dr. Cindi Chance, Dean of the College of Education, who donated a new DVD player to the shelter, along with new DVDs for the children
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Troop 20440, who donated Starbucks gift cards for the parents and teen residents of the shelter
Johannsen’s Sporting Goods on Broad Street, who donated footballs, basketballs and soccer balls
Georgia Theatre Company, who donated movie passes to all of the shelter’s residents, through Evans Cinema and Masters Cinema.
The Sports Authority on Robert C. Daniel Parkway, who donated footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, and kick balls