At-risk families living at Ruth’s Cottage are in desperate need for more space and an indoor play area for the children. At present, the children have one small corner of a room that is designated as a play area. The 12-bed shelter is fully occupied and has been for some time. The house meets the needs of displaced women and children from Tift, Turner, Worth, Ben Hill and Irwin counties.

“The gap between what our clients need and what we are able to provide in the way of services and accommodations continues to grow,” said Tom Call, board member.

The largest fundraiser for Ruth’s cottage this year will take place Saturday at the Tifton Skeet and Gun Club: The Champions of Hope sixth annual Sporting Clays Tournament.

“We need to sell all 800 of our tickets to raise the money for the addition,” said Patti Stafford, board president. “Or, we need 600 people to send us $25.”

The 2,040-square-foot addition will house the following:

• A combination reception room and staff office. This will allow new residents and guests to enter in a controlled environment separated from the residents. It will improve security and free up the existing reception/office space for another, much needed, bedroom.

• A unisex bathroom with washer and dryer.

• A multi-purpose room. This will provide adults and children a gathering space that is physically separated from the living and dining quarters and will increase the dining space in the main house.

• Storage. This will provide storage space for dry goods, janitorial supplies and freezers removed from the living and dining quarters.

“We need the best facility possible on a budget we can afford,” said Cindy Evers, board member. “Unfortunately the current building is leaking and dilapidated and the clay shoot is our opportunity to better the situation.”

Director Rosemary Alexander and David Bridges have met with county officials and secured approval for construction and the promise of assistance from Tift County. The preliminary site and building plans have been developed and demolition of the existing metal garage and slab and relocation of utilities is ready to begin. The Stafford Foundation also made a generous donation toward the proposed multipurpose building.

“What they leave is unthinkable and what we want to give them is the possibility for safety, for stability and for control over their lives,” said Alexander. “The children also need a stable environment where they can heal.”

For more information on the sporting clays tournament or about donating, call Ricky Justice at 387-1636 or Alexander at 387-9697.

To contact reporter Jana Cone, call 382-4321, ext. 208.