EDITOR'S NOTE: the following message was sent out by Leadership Harrison's Class of 2017 for businesses interested in helping victims of physical and/or sexual abuse/assault. At the bottom is a link that will show this same letter as well as forms involved with the process.

 

Dear Harrison County Business:

 

The Leadership Harrison Class of 2017 is working to better our community, and those who live within it, through various community service projects.  This class was broken into five (5) separate groups.  Our particular group is reaching out to businesses, who are members of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, for support of our project.

 

Our project focuses on those members of our community who are victims of physical and/or sexual abuse/assault.  We have partnered with the Harrison County Child Advocacy Center, Children’s Protective Services and Hope, Inc.  Through these groups, we have learned victims of abuse are examined by medical personnel at the local hospital.  Frequently, their clothing is taken and kept as evidence, oftentimes leaving them without any hygiene items to clean themselves or any clothing to wear after the exam.  Our project seeks to fill this need by providing “Comfort Packages,” through our partners, to the local hospital.

 

We are seeking your support, and the support of your employees, to provide ten (10) of these “Comfort Packages” annually.  If you agree to endorse this project, then your business will be responsible for the donation of “Comfort Packages” in an assigned month each year.  Check lists will be provided with suggested items for inclusion in the packages.  Children’s packages will contain a small stuffed animal or other toy to alleviate their anxiety.   We estimate that it will cost approximately $30 to fill each package.  Therefore, you can expect your annual contribution of items to total around $300.

 

A timeframe for your participation has not been set, but our group is requesting you to commit to a minimum of one (1) month per year over a three (3) year period.  Should the time come when you can no longer participate in this project, then please contact Jayne Landacre, Executive Director of the Harrison County Child Advocacy Center.  She can be reached by calling 304-622-0375 or by e-mail at jllandacre@harrisoncountychildadvocacycenter.com.

 

Our hope, through this project, is to provide a small measure of comfort to those who are going through an otherwise painful and stressful period in their lives.  Your support is key in assisting victims of physical and/or sexual abuse/assault within our own community.  Would you agree to be one (1) of twelve (12) businesses in Harrison County to provide basic necessities to those in their greatest time of need?  If so, then please sign the attached partnership agreement and return it via email to Jayne Landacre at the above email address or via mail at the address listed on the agreement.  This is an opportunity to provide much needed support to our neighbors right here at home.

 

Thank you for your consideration,

 

Chris Freeland

Tina Yoke

Monica Musgrave

Nick Gipson

Yvonne Freedman

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE FORMS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.