Once more, our board and staff have the community to thank for the outpouring of support of local efforts to provide safe shelter and advocacy for victims and their children impacted by domestic violence and child abuse. Through our recent Champions of Hope, our sixth annual, teams of over 265 sporting clay shooters helped raise needed funds for capital projects at Ruth’s Cottage. Many local businesses and individuals participated with sponsorships, teams, and volunteers — as did local churches such as Northside Baptist, First United Methodist and others. Tift Avenue Baptist Church donated a love offering that will substantially help with the new building project. New River Baptist and Ricky Justice teamed up, along with A&S Rentals, the Coarseys (Butch and Carroll), Mike Chason, Chris Beckham, Brewer Implement, Stafford Equipment and ignition, inc. to provide the place, tents, chairs, charisma, and “gators” for a successful day. New sponsors are too numerous to name, as well as our “old faithful” who have kept the shelter and Patticake House in their annual budget — thank you so much — every single sponsor and raffle ticket purchase will be used to serve local victims! We know many of you sacrificed to help us this year, with everyone being affected by rising prices and nervous consumers.

Out of the “dark clouds” that surround us there is often a small ray of sunshine. Might I mention just one more? As a result of a recent Bible study, Sunday “schoolers” from First United Methodist, have “adopted” Ruth’s Cottage as their service to our Lord.

Contacted by Melanie Peavey, our staff eagerly presented this group with a challenge.

Help us with the clay shoot; and, then, help us get the shelter ready for an upcoming site visit by DHR. They’ve done both — with eager hearts and hands, they’ve painted rooms and trim, cleaned windows and blinds, repaired railings, pressure-washed walls and porches, hung paintings and much more. Some of them are teachers who gave up days of Spring Break vacation. Others are businessmen and women who came on Fridays and Saturdays, using vacation time. To Jim and Lynn Lovett, John and Amy Brooks, the Ferners, the Emmett Bowers, the Richard Goldens, the Drew Dormineys, the Mickey Bryants and the Darian Peaveys (and anyone else they recruited), we extend our deepest thanks for your kindness and focus on the details, your resources and willingness to give your time.

I’m often asked by Chairman Grady Thompson: “Why don’t the churches provide for y’all?” And, I always say, “They do!” But, they can’t do it alone. It takes the entire community: law enforcement, district attorney’s office, the medical and mental health community, schools, DFCS, advocates, businesses, individuals, legislature, government, and churches to close the gap in services to victims of crime. Again, to those who have said, “I will go, Lord,” our deepest appreciation. To those who have yet to answer the “call” — give us a few minutes, and we’ll put you to work for those who really need you in our own community!

Deepest regards,

Patti Stafford

President, Board of

Directors

Ruth’s Cottage and the Patticake House