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Fundraiser for violence shelter offers chance at $10,000
Tickets available at Cheer's Aug. 28-29 for Sept. 26 event
SIKESTON -- Raising funds for a secret facility can be challenging.
For the safety of children and women taking shelter there from domestic or sexual violence, it is important to keep the location of the House of Refuge a secret.
So everything from raising awareness to gathering community support can present some additional difficulties.
"We would like more people in our community see our organization's shelter as a valuable and necessary place," said Holly Hunter-Heckemeyer, chairperson of the House of Refuge Board of Directors. "Sadly, Scott County continuous to rank in the top 10 percentile in the state of Missouri for domestic violence and sexual assault. That is over St. Louis and Kansas City and Jefferson City. It is frustrating. But if you can rescue one person, it is worth what you do."
While the community has supported the shelter's Ladies Tea fundraiser in spring and a poker tournament held later in the year, "we really wanted to do something different," Hunter-Heckemeyer said. "Our theme is 'Under the Big Top.' Tickets are $100 per couple and we are giving away $10,000."
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