Woodlands Online — The Woodlands
February 2010

Resident Helps Women Live Free From Violence

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Dana Pritchard, Woodlands' resident and President of The Woodlands Car Club, recently donated furniture to the Montgomery County Women's Center responding the agency's great need for gently used furniture items. The Women's Center, which serves victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, assists women and their children with household items so as to rebuild their lives when leaving the agency's emergency shelter for battered and abused women.

"When women leave our shelter they are essentially starting over as they look to rebuild their lives free from violence," Donna Wick said, director of outreach and communications for the agency. "We are appealing to the community to please donate gently used furniture so that we can provide women and their children basic needs to begin again."

The Women's Center receives more than 1,000 crisis calls per month from the community and serves abused and battered women through emergency shelter, counseling support and legal advocacy. According to Wick, in 2009, Texas experienced a 240 percent spike in the number of requests for emergency shelter. The agency is hoping the community will respond in kind with furniture items that are no longer being used or currently being held in storage.

"The Woodlands Car Club has long supported the Women's Center and other nonprofits in our community," Dana Pritchard said. "The Club creates awareness about available services and gives back monetarily to local agencies. I know this furniture donation will significantly impact the life of a woman and her children as they move towards a happier, healthier life."

To schedule a furniture donation pick-up, call 281 292-3234.

MCWC serves victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through crisis intervention, counseling, emergency shelter, support services and legal advocacy. All services are offered free of charge. For more information, contact Donna Wick at 281 292-4155 ext. 228.

The 24-hour crisis hotline is 936 441-7273.