Table for eight, please

Table for eight, please

McLeod Alliance was the recipient of a $250 donation from Factory Direct Furniture’s Ladies Night Out event on Nov. 15. Keith Heikes, left, owner of the store invited the Alliance to decorate a table for the evening. Former Board member Linda Keehr, Board Vice Chair Linda Senst and Executive Director Jo Piehl posed with the Alliance’s mission-themed setting.

The McLeod Alliance Board of Directors is seeking volunteers in preparation of the Third annual McLeod Alliance Garage Sale. The sale will occur in April 2012.

The Board organized and operated a garage sale during Fall Citywide Garage Sales. The Second annual McLeod Alliance Garage Sale brought in more than $2,600 during the three days in early May. For the 2012 sale, the organizers are hoping to top last year’s earnings.

Ronda Matthias, chairwoman of the fundraising event, would love for volunteers to help sort, price and organize donated items. She can be reached via e-mail at rjmatthias24@hotmail.com.

The Alliance will again be taking donations of items for the sale, but that information will be shared later, when an exact date for the sale is set.

Once again, McLeod Alliance will benefit from a Meat Raffle held by the Hutchinson Eagles #4441 raffle night is set for March 30, 2012. Mark your calendar and plan to head out to the Eagles Club inside the Best Western Victorian Inn. More details will be available closer to the event. Call McLeod Alliance at 320-234-7933 with questions.

If you would like a pledge sheet via e-mail, let Glynis know at advocate@hutchtel.net. If you are ready to sign up your team and reserve a lane, then give Glynis at call at the office at 320-234-7933.

McLeod Alliance is going to try a new restaurant fundraiser in August by teaming up with Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Hutchinson. On Aug. 16, 17 and 18, McLeod Alliance will earn 15 percent of the profits from sales for all three days. Applebee’s will produce a flyer for the fundraising event but it is NOT necessary to have one when you come in to dine. There are also no tickets needed. So just come in and dine. Please tell your friends, neighbors and local relatives to eat at Applebee’s during these days to help us raise funds!!

At McLeod Alliance, our mission is to support and promote the elimination of relationship violence through education, empowerment, protection, and advocacy.

Domestic violence, or battering, is a pattern of abusive behaviors that some individuals use to control their intimate partners. Battering can include physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and other controlling or fear-inducing behaviors. Without help, domestic violence often becomes more frequent and more severe. It can lead to permanent injury and death.

REMEMBER: IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE ~ IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT

Our services include:

Last year McLeod Alliance served 282 victims: 175 of these were new clients, 21 were men and 3 were teens. We referred victims to additional agencies  740 times and reached more than 1,700 people through our educational presentations. Located at 101 Park Place, downtown Hutchinson, we work to create a coordinated community response to domestic violence that provides safety to victims, accountability for perpetrators, and intervention for the entire family.

For help or information call: 320-234-7933 or 1-800-934-0851, or e-mail to: advocate@hutchtel.net.