Stop Child Abuse . . .A special regional initiative of the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County

Child sexual abuse is a hidden, quiet crime.  It is the goal of the Crisis Shelter to shine a light on this issue and bring the Lawrence County community together to take a stand and make a statement against abuse.  The goal of the Believe Me When I Tell campaign is to prevent child sexual abuse and the community can help by displaying a yard sign during the month of April making the statement, We Believe You When You Tell. 
Last year, nearly 3,000 county residents displayed signs!    

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child; but, it takes a concerned, educated, aware community to nurture a healthy child.  When we collectively tell children that we will believe them when they tell, we raise a generation of self-aware children who may have the inspired confidence to speak up when they feel uncomfortable, and perhaps even before devastating, life-changing abuse occurs. 

 Watch for these April Awareness Events:

• Team Awareness Walks
• Virtual Texting Rally
• Awareness Marches at Local Universities

For more information regarding the Believe Me When I Tell campaign and how your center or group can be involved, contact Dayna Shaw Sear – Executive Director at dsear@crisisshelter.org or 724-856-4300.

To see a list of Believe Me When I Tell awareness materials available from the Crisis Shelter, please visit our awareness resource page http://crisisshelter.org/awareness-resources/

Believe Me When I Tell is partially funded by the Caroline Knox Charitable Trust, the Margaret L. Henry Charitable Trust and the Almira Foundation.

 February 25, 2012
Scottish Rite Cathedral, 110 E. Lincoln Avenue, New Castle, PA 16101
6:00 PM 

Make plans now to attend the 30th Anniversary Gala Auction on February 25, 2012. 
Tickets are available by calling 724-856-4323

            The Crisis Shelter is planning its 24th Annual Auction which will take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Please Save the Date!  This gala event is extra special this year as we celebrate 30 years of service to the community of Lawrence County assisting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, juvenile crimes and other serious crimes.

             The auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year and you can help make this event successful by attending the event on February 25th.  Our live auction includes approximately 35 high end items and our silent auction and other raffles make it a fun evening.  Nearly 350 of your friends and neighbors attend the event.   Won’t you join these generous folks who contribute to the success of our auction?

             Just a sample of exciting items up for bid this year are Steeler & Pirate tickets, a Nashville trip, beautiful jewelry, golf packages, an elegant dinner catered in your home by Medure’s, an oriental rug, and lovely gift baskets too numerous to count.

            You can also help by donating items to be auctioned off.   Sporting event tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, trips, golf outings, jewelry, gift certificates of all kinds, and gift baskets are always popular. All donated items are tax deductible.  Form Receipt of Gift.2012

            More than 500 items have been donated to previous auctions.  According to Dayna Sear, Executive Director, “We appreciate the generosity of so many local businesses and community members who support our auction either with their donation, ad or attendance.” 

            Auction sponsorships are also available at various levels.  This is your golden opportunity to support the Crisis Shelter and promote your business as well.  Form Sponsor.2012   Or you can place a business ad in our program book.  Form Program AD.2012

            Donated items can be mailed or taken to the Crisis Shelter at1218 West State Street in New Castle.  We have volunteers who can pick up your item if it is not possible for you to get them to our facility. 

            For more information on being an auction sponsor or donating items, please contact Barb at 724-856-4323 or bclingensmith@crisisshelter.org.

Approximately 130 guests gathered at the Villa Banquet Center, 2500 New Butler Road, New Castle, PA on November 18th for the Crisis Shelter’s eighth annual Dining For Good Living.  Darlene Medure and the Medure Family of Medure’s Catering, New Castle, PA http://www.medures.com/ hosted this exciting event.  Matthew Medure, 5 Star Chef and owner of Matthew’s of San Marco, Jacksonville, FL http://www.matthewsrestaurant.com/chef/and Restaurant Medure of Ponte Vedra, FL http://restaurantmedure.us/took us on a tour through the countries of Italy, France, Germany and Spain for an exquisite dinner paired with exceptional wines from Dendor Wine Management. http://www.dendorwine.com/. 

Exciting menu items included Grilled Duck Breast and Portebello on a Tortilla, Lobster Bisque, Wild King Salmon on Creamed Leeks, Diver Scallop en Croute, Cepes Mushroom Duxelle, Butternut Squash Risotto, and Roasted Banana Crepe with Chocolate Mousse.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Event – Forever Broadcasting
Sommelier – Berner International
Reception & Dessert – Greenville Savings Bank
Flowers – Butz Flowers & Gifts
Invitations – Columbia Gas
Epicurean – Nancy & Ron Bergey
Wine Flight – Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly & George, P.C.

Partners in Gastronomy:
Avalon Nursing Center
Bookminders
Peter & Amy Labi-Carando
ESB Bank – Shenango, Neshannock, Ellwood City
Harry & Debbie Grafton
Marvin & Gerry Lebby
Matty & Darlene Medure
Sydney & Dottie Paul
Dale & Michele Perelman
Thomas & Diane Piccione
Jonathan & Nanette Solomon
Curtis & Jean Speight
Larry & Janet Verone
Frank & Beth Verterano
Bill & Betty Zbegan

As part of our effort to create community awareness and help stop violence, during the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we invited businesses and organizations to PAINT FOR PEACE and be a part of this initiative by painting their windows with a domestic violence awareness theme.

An award for the window contest was presented at our Domestic Violence Rally “Paint For Peace” art show at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.  The winner of our Paint For Peace window contest was COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES with 901 votes.  CONGRATULATIONS!!

We also sponsored a calendar contest in which the winner’s art work would be published in a 2012 calendar which is for sale at the Crisis Shelter.  The winning artwork for the calendar is pictured below.

First place winner was Ally Fuhs;  second place winner was Emily Maxwell; and third place winner was Noah Baumis. Congratulations everyone!

 The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #21, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County on another successful golf outing held at Mohawk Trails Golf Course on June 17, 2011 to benefit victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other serious crimes.

Teams of four, numbering 88 golfers in all, enjoyed a sunny day of golf, special contests, great food and camaraderie with fellow partners in the community. Twenty volunteers added to the success of the event.

Placing first in the event was Team Boston consisting of Kevin Boston, Matt Clark, Lou DeNome, and Chris Kielar. Coming in second was Team Froggy consisting of John Funyak, Frank Augustine, John Dado, and Matt Dado. 

A special thank you goes to silver sponsor, Forever Broadcasting, bronze sponsor, Mr. Pizza, East Washington Street, and car sponsors, Phil Fitts Ford and Scheidemantle Motors. Thank you also our volunteers and to everyone who donated food and prizes.

Special thanks goes to Chief Tom Sansone who spearheaded the event with assistance from New Castle Police officers. According to Chief Sansone, “once again the annual F.O.P. 21 / Crisis Shelter golf outing was a success. It was a good time, good food, and good fun for everyone involved while at the same time making some money for the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence Country, a worthwhile cause.”

Thank you to the 175 folks who participated in our 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 8th at Pearson Park.   Also thank you to the countless volunteers who made the race possible.  You helped make strides to end domestic violence and sexual abuse.  Prizes were awarded in 15 different age brackets and to overall winners.  Each participant received a race T-shirt.

Run Winners:
1.  Doug Petrik                                  17:51.6    5:45/M
2.  Ed Brainard                                  18:54.5    6:06/M
3.  Thomas Macri                             19:00.5    6:08/M

Walk Winners:
1.    Elise Gorman                              44:06.2   14:14/M
2.    Carol Cameron                           44:37.2   14:24/M
3.    Melissa Snyder                           45:49.7   14:47/M

Thank you to our sponsors:

Platinum:
Eric Ryan Corporation

Gold:
Berner International
ESB Bank
Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly & George, P.C.
McElwain Motors/Good Wheels

Silver:
Dr. Walter Dickson – Podiatry
Elwood Mill Products
Kalfter’s

Bronze:
Nancy & Ron Bergey
First Choice FCU
Medure’s Catering
Preston Motors
SRU Women’s Studies