Did you know that thousands of women are abused by their partners every year and the numbers continue to grow.  Despite a big movement to stop the violence, it is a huge problem.  Many women suffer in silence because they have no alternative place to go, so they and their children stay in the abusive household until they are driven out or killed.

Desert Sun Resource Centre in Oliver/Osoyoos have many programs for both men and women to try and control this violence and they also run a safe house where women and children can go for a few days, before alternative arrangements can be made.  The Government funding for these safe houses is just not enough to pay for housing that is needed and the centre depends on the community for donations.

Every year the members of the Order of the Eastern Star raise thousands of dollars, throughout BC and the rest of Canada, to donate to worthy causes.  This year we are supporting the safe houses in the area of each chapter.

The members of the Oliver chapter will be holding two events to raise money.  One is a “fun’ event, where each member has to donate 50c for every pair of shoes they own.  It doesn’t sound like much but, as most of the members are women, many of them have forty, fifty or more pairs of shoes, the amount donated adds up.  However the members are also asked to involve their local communities in the fund raising so, on Friday the 13th, we are holding a hot dog sale outside of Super Value, from 10.00 – 2.00.  We will be serving hot dogs, burgers, fried onions and all the fixings.  Cost is by donation, so please come along and have lunch with us and help build more shelters for abused women and children.

ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR

WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND CANCER PROJECTS

more info?  call Pat Whalley 485-0110