MAY 28, 2009 ISSUE
Blue Ridge Relay Donates More Than $22K to Local Domestic Abuse Shelters
Rebecca Gummere from OASIS receives a check for $8,327.04 from Ken and Kristin Sevensky.
Many people think of Avon as the cosmetics and skin care company that is as close as your front door—or nowadays, as your computer. But few may know of Avon’s ongoing efforts to increase awareness about and raise funds to combat domestic violence. Between 2006 and 2008 Avon has donated more than $820,000 to support agencies and organizations working to end domestic violence through the Avon Foundation’s Need for Speed to End Domestic Violence campaign.
Locally, Ken and Kristin Sevensky, who own Gum Ridge Mill & Flying Pig Furniture in Fleetwood, have worked beyond their busy schedules to do their part in the community. Ken and Kristin direct two events, The Black & Blue Double Century Cycling Relay in July and The Blue Ridge Relay, a 200-mile team running relay, in September, which represent two of seven relays nationally to be part of the Avon Foundation’s Need for Speed campaign. Participants raised money for the Avon Foundation during their preparation for race that began in Grayson County, Va. and ended in Asheville. The money was then passed along to local shelters. More than $16, 500 was raised by these two events in 2008 and, combined with contributions in 2007, more than $22,500 has been raised and donated to Western North Carolina domestic abuse organizations. Both OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter), Inc. and ASHE (A Safe Home for Everyone) were recipients of a generous donation from the Avon Foundation via these two events. Funds go to help support services such as short-term crisis counseling, referrals, legal and medical advocacy, operations at the confidential shelters and outreach and education.
For more information about OASIS, call 828-264-1532 or click to www.oasisinc.org.
For more information on The Black & Blue or The Blue Ridge Relay, call 336-877-8888 or click to www.blackandbluerelay.com and www.blueridgerelay.com.
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