McLeod Alliance

December was a time of giving, and McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence gladly received two cash donations.

On Dec. 10, Dori Johnson and members of the Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary presented Alliance Executive Director Jo Piehl with a $1,000 donation. Then, on Dec. 15, Wal-Mart Manager Scott Hilgemann presented Piehl with a $2,000 check. The Auxiliary donation was not requested, but the Wal-Mart donation was in response to a grant application Piehl filed with the retailer.

McLeod Alliance is a private, nonprofit agency that serves victims of domestic violence in McLeod County and the surrounding area. Advocates assist clients in filing for orders for protection, navigating the criminal justice system and maintaining violence-free homes through referrals and with individual support.

Piehl said the $3,000 in donations will be used for general operating expenses and client-related materials. The Hospital Auxiliary’s donation comes in addition to that group’s continued financial support of buying hygiene and cleaning products every other month.

The Alliance also received a $345 grant from Southwest Initiative Foundation and Hutchinson Community Foundation later in the month. These grant funds will be used to purchase support group curriculum materials for the domestic violence support group and education materials to help kids understand domestic violence.

“The struggling economic times have already taken a toll on our clients and we’ve seen increasing numbers in the last few months,” Piehl said. “This money will allow us to continue serving our clients throughout the holidays and into 2009.”

The McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence was proud to present The Johnny Holm Band as the star performer for Alliance Rock 2008.

The concert was Friday, Oct. 17, from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, at the Hutchinson Event Center.

This was the Alliance’s second year of putting on a benefit concert. Last year’s event was on 07-07-07. It was a hot and sticky night at the McLeod County Fairgrounds.

So, the Board of Directors brainstormed and determined that a fall concert at an indoor venue would be the best option, since October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Choosing the performer was an easy task, as the Board opted for a Hutchinson favorite, Johnny Holm.

According to his Web site, www.johnnyholm.com, “Johnny Holm is the most entertaining entertainer performing today. … Mostly impromptu, the show moves with the speed of lightning…”

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The 2007 Clothesline Project returned to Hutchinson in June during the Garden Party. The display first came to Hutchinson in 2006 during the Garden Party. The display features a t-shirt designed by McLeod Alliance volunteer artists honoring Lucretia Dixon, as well as the shirts of Terri Lee and Tim Hawkinson, who were murdered by Terri’s ex-boyfriend. Vickie Swenson, the Terri Lee’s sister, was the guest speaker at the 2008 Gathering in the Garden.

All of the Minnesota Clothesline Projects for the past 30 years will be on display at the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women’s 30th Anniversary Celebration and Conference in Bloomington on Oct. 23-24. Alliance staff are attending this event.

To learn more about the t-shirt designed by Alliance volunteers, click here.

To learn more about the history of the Clothesline Project, log on to www.mcbw.org.

Gathering in the Garden special guest captures audience with story of her sister’s death

By JILL BARRALL
Of the McLeod Alliance

Vicki Swenson is a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a volleyball coach. But what she truly is one devoted sister.

Vicki lost her sister, Terri Lee, when Terri’s ex-boyfriend killed her after stalking her for months.

As t-shirts bearing Terri’s tragic story and the stories of others like her blew in the wind, Vicki shared how her life changed when she spoke at the Gathering in the Garden on June 25.

More than 70 people were enthralled as Vicki shared how Terri overcame the personal tragedy of losing her husband in a fatal car crash, to raise four children alone.

They listened how a new man entered Terri’s life and turned the whole family’s world upside down. Steven Van Keuren seemed to be a good suitor. Later, he proved to be controlling, abusive and unable to let her go.

Van Keuren shot and killed Tim Hawkinson and Terri Lee on July 29, 2006, in Terri’s home. Tim was Terri’s boyfriend and a long-time family friend.

Terri had a protective order, called police and installed a security system in her home. “My sister did everything right,” Vicki said, which is why she is dedicated to speaking out and changing laws so that no one else has to lose a sister.

Vicki’s telling of Terri’s story highlighted the annual fundraiser event, which also featured a dynamic dinner and exquisite silent auction baskets. The event raised more than $2,000 for the Alliance.

For more info, log on to www.glencoenews.com, and type in Vicki’s name to read McLeod County Chronicle Reporter Gail Lipe’s story, which further explains Vicki’s speech.

Laura Engwall reads Terri Lee’s memorial t-shirt at the Gathering in the Garden. The shirts are part of the Clothesline Project, which remembers women, men and children murdered in 2006 from acts of domestic violence.