Last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the Annual Fundraiser tea for the organization Women Helping Women: http://www.whwmaui.net.
This organization does outstanding work to protect the women and children of our Island from domestic violence. They have an emergency shelter and various programs to empower, assist, and rehabilitate victims of domestic violence.
In Hawaii, the first two murders of 2008 were victims of domestic violence. Two women, slain at the hand of their partners. This sort of precedent is absolutely unacceptable. It is for reasons such as this that organization like Women Helping Women are so vital to maintaining a healthy community. Women Helping Women assures that:
- All calls to our hotline are confidential.
- You are not alone.
- Help is available.
- You are not responsible for another person's violence.
- You and your children have a right to be safe in your home.
- Violence is never an appropriate response to anger or stress.
The Fundraiser event was an absolute joy to be a part of. It took place Upcountry at the beautiful Ulupalakua Ranch. Bev Gannon from Hali'iamile catered the event with her amazing culinary concoctions. The event MC, Dean Wong - Board of Director, was an absolute blast and kept all the ladies on their toes. The music was divine. The women were in high spirits, dressed in pink, adorned with elaborate hats most appropriate for a tea party. The auction items were absolutely stunning. The Mac makeup crew was there to assure that the women felt like queens. It was a pristinely perfect Sunday Upcountry. Truly a blessing to see all those women, and men, come together to help stop the cycle of abuse that plagues so many of our Islands' citizens.Thank you to the event organizers:
Brooke Simonds - Event Chair
Stacey Moniz - Executive Director of WHW
and of course those who donated the luxurious auction items, the volunteers, and all the attendees for all your hard work and dedication to the cause. We are so lucky to have you.If you feel as though you have been a victim of domestic violence please contact the 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline (808) 579-9581.
Together, we can stop the cycle of abuse.
A hui hou!
Summer Starr
