October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and several local businesses are joining forces in the Third Annual “Harvest of Hope” sundry drive to support Stepping Stones Agencies.

Tri-City Motor News, Arizona Highway Safety Specialists, the Lonesome Valley Newspaper, Magic 99.1 FM radio and Lighthouse Communications are asking the public to bring a sundry item to one of the drop-off points between Oct. 5 and Nov. 16.

Stepping Stones Executive Director Robin Burke said the need never goes away and the drive is gratefully appreciated.

“Between the emergency shelter and our extended transitional living and community integration program, it’s like having a family of 35. You no longer take toothpaste for granted if you know what I mean,” she said. “And right now, we have 4 newborn babies in the shelter and it’s needless to say, the diapers collected in this year’s annual sundry drive will be a welcomed commodity.”

Stepping Stones Agencies offers a place of physical safety and emotional support for woman breaking the bonds of domestic violence and their children.

The services they provide include emergency shelter, transitional housing, one-on-one advocacy and support, safety planning, 24/7 “live” help line and so much more.

Burke said most of these clients come to the shelter with only a few possessions.

“Stepping Stones supplies our families with all their daily essential needs,” she said. “And when you consider that most of these women and their children come to us during an immediate crisis in their lives, they don’t really have anything with them and desperately need us to help them.”

Burke thanked those who support her organization and the sundry drive.

“What you help accomplish during this annual sundry drive helps the women and kids in our program all year long,” she said. “The magic of the sundry drive is you are empowering a lot of people to each do a little bit – there is a lot of power in that and makes a HUGE difference here.”

Burke encouraged the public to ignore the common misconceptions and get the facts about Stepping Stones and the services the organization provides.

“People believe that we only take women who are battered. We serve all women or women with children who are victims of any form of abuse, economic deprivation, exploitation, neglect or are in personal crisis and need safety, support, and advocacy,” she said “Right now, we are recruiting community members who care deeply about helping women and children, to serve on our “Campus of Care” development council and help us to expand our programs – more beds and services.”

As a non-profit organization, Stepping Stones is extremely grateful for the generous support our community provides to help make this program available all year long.

The Stepping Stones shelter is always in need of cleaning supplies, personal grooming items for children and adults along with household paper products and diapers.

Sundry donations are being accepted at tri-city area drop-off points before Nov. 16 including all Stepping Stones locations.