The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families Inc., a Catholic Charities Program, would like to take this opportunity to say “Thank you” to several organizations who during the year of 2014 has supported us in ways that have allowed us to continue our daily operation of providing safety and basic needs for the women and children of domestic violence in Southwest Mississippi and Concordia Parish.

During the spring of 2014, we received our yearly donation from the Natchez Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service, which allows us to have our pantry filled with donated canned goods.

This huge effort by local postal employees to gather donations by the local community helps us to have the food we need for the families we serve during the year.

This year, we hosted our “Journey of Hope” fundraiser at the Family Life Center with guests attending from both the Natchez community and Concordia Parish community to raise needed funds through donations from the guests at the luncheon.

There were many volunteers who assisted us in this effort, both locally and in Concordia Parish. Sheri Rabb, marketing director with the City of Vidalia, was instrumental in coordinating our efforts in the Vidalia area. I am grateful to each person and business that supported us in our efforts with this fundraiser.

I would also like to thank the Junior Auxiliary of Natchez for their efforts in organizing welcome bags for our children as they come into shelter. We appreciate this new idea for our children to have their own toys and personal items when they come into the shelter.

The local Hunters for the Hungry organization donated meat products for our freezer to use over the coming months and we are appreciative to them for this donation.

October was Domestic violence month and we had a community wide educational event at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Home Bank was the sponsor for this event and we want to acknowledge their commitment and support for this event. I would like to thank the staff of Co-Lin Community College for allowing us to have our event on their campus also. We presented to their student body the information regarding domestic violence as well as the community. Drew Thompson and Nancy McFarland were helpful in the organization of the event, and we appreciate their efforts.

I would like to say a special “Thank you” to Kevin and Dottie Windham who organize and present “Party in the Pasture” in Amite County for allowing us to be a part of this event. This event allows us to benefit from the proceeds that are donated to several charitable organizations and individuals.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank Parkway Baptist Church for their sponsorship in bringing Ballet Magnificat! to Natchez for the sixth year. Their performance of “The Most Incredible Christmas” set the tone for the holiday season. The hard work of the Parkway Sunday School class of Akinremi Akinwale, Robert and Dorothy Sylverster, Leon and Carolyn Ridley and Beatrice Owens continues to make this event successful.

The volunteers of Parkway Baptist Church make the event run smoothly as well as local sponsors whose financial assistance allows us to have Ballet Magnificat! in our community.

I would like to say thank you to the Iron Men with the First Baptist Church of Natchez for their involvement with the performance this year as well as Malan Parks who continues to make arrangements for the ballet performers to have a wonderful lunch at The Castle Restaurant.

With the end of the year approaching, I want to say thanks to the Miss-Lou for continued support to our organization.

We continue to work diligently to provide women and children of domestic violence a safe haven where all their needs will be met and we can assist them to move forward toward their goal of independence and safety for their future.

Monetary donations are essential for us to be able to continue our work as well as donations to our local re-sale shop, The Guardian Collection.

Mississippi is ranked fifth nationally for reported incidents of domestic violence but Natchez can be the “community” who works diligently to end this very devastating, violent cycle of abuse to women and children.

I urge everyone who needs additional information regarding domestic violence or to make a donation to contact us at 601-442-0142.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

 

Donna Miller is director of the Guardian Shelter.