The YWCA Central Alabama held the Fourth Annual Purse & Passion St. Clair County Luncheon on August 23rd at The Beacon in Pell City, Alabama. The Luncheon, chaired by YW Board member Dr. Jenny Gauld, raised over $54,000 to support Our Place, the YWCA’s domestic violence shelter in St. Clair County that offers a broad array of domestic violence services to women and families in the area. 
The confidentially located facility was opened in October 2009 to meet the needs of domestic violence victims living in Blount and St. Clair counties. Perhaps deterred by lack of transportation, distance or fear of an unknown city, women in the St. Clair County area are often hesitant to travel to Birmingham to seek shelter from an abuser. Thanks to a successful capital campaign and the generous support of the community, women and children now have a safe haven that provides important services to help them become strong and self-sufficient. Our Place has provided shelter to 114 women and 91 children since opening. In addition to the women and children served at Our Place, the YW’s rural legal assistance program, Justice on Wheels as well as court advocates have helped 722 women obtain legal services and Protection from Abuse orders from their abusers.
This year’s event was a tremendous success with over 400 women and men dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence in Blount and St. Clair counties in attendance. Their overwhelming generosity enabled the YW to raise critical funding dollars that will directly support the operation of the shelter.
This event would not have been a success without the dedication of the Luncheon steering committee members, especially Dr. Jenny Gauld who spearheaded the YWCA’s fundraising efforts in Pell City and Polly Mitchell, owner of LUNCH, who generously donated food and catering services for the event. These volunteers worked tirelessly to raise funds, friends and awareness throughout the community.
The YW would like to extend a special thank you to our corporate sponsors Alabama Power Company, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Landmark Credit Union, Publix Supermarkets, Riverside Refractories, Inc., Talladega Super Speedway and Town and Country Ford. Their commitment to the YW and our mission will help provide much needed resources in Blount and St. Clair counties for years to come.
If you are interested in supporting the YWCA’s domestic violence programs, please click here.