Every Thursday we offer ideas and ways people can give back in the community. Our ideas can be fundraising opportunities, or they can be specific things to help people in need. This week’s Give Back Thursday suggestion is to help AWARE. Read on for more details.
AWARE, Inc. is an organization helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Mercer County, PA. They offer various programming including emergency shelters, counseling, and legal assistance. Their services provide much needed help to people in dangerous situations. AWARE, Inc. is a 501 c(3) organization which means any donation to them is tax deductible. For more information on AWARE and the services they provide, connect with them on social media. You can also visit their website https://merceraware.org/.
Donate Household Items to AWARE!
This week’s Give Back Thursday offers specific help to AWARE. Do you have unused and unwanted kitchen items, bathroom items or bedding and aren’t sure what to do with them? We have the answer! AWARE is always in need of twin bedding. This can include twin sheets, twin comforters, pillow cases, and pillows. They could also use bathroom items. This includes towels, washcloths, shampoos and conditioners (travel size) and soaps. In addition, they are always in need of kitchen items. This can include pots and pans, silverware, dishes, mugs and glasses, kitchen utensils, and Tupperware. Do you have any of these items you don’t need or don’t want? If so, contact Amanda Banic at abanic@merceraware.org to make arrangements to donate these to AWARE.
Another way to help AWARE, is to donate children’s booster seats. They could use the backless booster seats for children of all ages. This donation can help AWARE with their mission of helping victims of domestic violence as they are fleeing abusive situations. Along with booster seats, they can use other children’s items. These can include puzzles, dolls, coloring books, crayons, markers and coloring pencils, blocks and toys.
Did you know AWARE needs pet items donated?
We can’t forget about the pets. AWARE operates a Paws Program which could really use unopened bags of cat and dog food, heated blankets, litter, baggies, pet toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, blankets and bowls. Curious about their Paws Program? This program helps to keep victims of domestic violence who are fleeing abusive situations, from being separated from their beloved pets. If this option wasn’t available, some victims would not leave for fear of something happening to their pet. Supporting this program truly helps both pets and victims of abuse.
If you don’t have any of these items on hand to donate, but would like to help, you can always purchase any of the above items. Simply contact Amanda to make arrangements to donate them. Remember, all donations are tax deductible. Your donation will go further because you are helping someone in need. We hope you will take a moment and think about ways you might be able to Give Back this Thursday and help AWARE!