Junior Woman's Club Donates to Family Justice Center
November 14, 2011
By Ashley Reams

When GFWC Temple Terrace Junior Woman's Club members Anita Long and Cheri Donohue went to a Lunch and Learn at the Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County, they weren't sure what to expect.

The facility, which is the only one if it’s kind in the state of Florida, is a one-stop resource center for domestic violence abuse.

“We came away thinking, ‘There has to be some way we can help,’” Long said.

After sending out emails and requests for the center's wish list donations, the GFWC Dist. 8 Day of Service was born.

Nikki Daniels, executive director of the center, gave the Temple Terrace Juniors the option of refurbishing a room. Design Buy Consign, 6718 E. Fowler Ave., donated furniture and lamps. The Temple Terrace Juniors also bought new underwear, and members donated juice boxes, individually wrapped snacks, clothing, toys and games.

Four other GFWC clubs—East Tampa Juniors, New Tampa Juniors, Tampa Juniors, and the Temple Terrace Woman’s Club—were represented at the Day of Service and donated many of the same wish list items plus diapers and womanpower to get the room in shape.

At the GFWC Southern Region Conference the weekend before the Day of Service, Southern Conference President Sue Ellen Brazil requested that GFWC attendees from five southern states (Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida) donate socks for the GFWC Sock Project, in which socks are put in a gallon baggie and distributed to a local domestic abuse shelter. These donated socks were then given to the Family Justice Center in Tampa where they were distributed almost immediately, due to the recent cool weather.

Aimed at raising awareness, decreasing incidences, and supporting survivors, the GFWC Sock Project helps victims Step Away From Abuse, with a new pair of socks to start a new chapter of their lives.

To see how you can make a difference in the lives of others, visit www.gfwcflorida.org.