Hospital volunteers contribute to SAFE Homes

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, 20 Upstate Carolina Medical Center volunteers contributed a portion of their earnings from the gift shop and cheer cart at the hospital to SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition to make Christmas a little happier for Cherokee County victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Mary Bolinger, president, said, "This all-volunteer group staffs the gift shop and cheer cart throughout the year. They save their earnings and make awards for scholarships for needy students and during the holidays they pick a local charity to receive their gift."

This year's recipient, SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition, provides supportive services, therapy, advocacy and emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Cherokee County. Their office is at 207 S. Limestone St. in the Hatcher Building.

Lynn Hawkins, executive director, said, "Cherokee County had 811 victims of domestic violence and 32 victims of sexual assault who sought service from SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition last year. This gift from the Upstate Carolina Medical Center volunteers will help provide Christmas gifts for victims from this community."

South Carolina remains first in the United States in violent crime, and number two in the country for the number of women murdered by their male intimate partners. If you, or someone you know, needs help, call SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition at 864-583-9803 or 1-800-273- 5066 for more information.