‘Shelter From The Storm’ To Benefit Elizabeth House

RIDGEFIELD — Have you ever imagined what it would be like if you were forced to leave your home with nothing but the clothes on your back? ...if violence in the place that was supposed to be your “safe haven” made it impossible for you to continue living there? ...fleeing with your children into an unknown future when the known has become dangerous?

That is the reality for the families who make their way  to Elizabeth House and other domestic violence shelters across the country. If it were not for the safe haven, care, and counseling offered there, these individuals would have few options. Yet Connecticut remains one of only four states in the United States that does not offer funding for 24-hour staffing of its domestic violence shelters.

That is why this year’s annual Women’s Center of Greater Danbury benefit, “Shelter From the Storm,” is so crucial. Those buying a ticket and enjoying the fun-filled evening planned for Friday, May 15, at Lounsbury House, will help to fund Elizabeth House and the other crucial programs and services provided to a 13-town region by the women’s center. Attendees will help to give hope to countless individuals and families.

Last year, through the generosity of those who attended this annual fundraiser, the center was able to raise $100,000.

“Shelter From the Storm” will begin at 6 pm. There will be  dinner-by-the-bite provided by Two Steps Downtown Grille/Ciao! Catering of Danbury, desserts by The Goodie Shoppe of New Fairfield, wines by Liberta’s Spirit Shoppe, a martini “luge” provided by IceMatters LLC with vodka provided by CT Distributors, live and silent auctions, and more.

A fundraising raffle will also  held, with grand prizes including an eight-day vacation to the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort in St Thomas and a 46-inch Sony full-HD LCD television. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling the Women’s Center.

Tickets to the “Shelter” event are $100 per person and can be purchased by calling the center or visiting www.wcogd.org.

The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury provides free and confidential services to prevent or lessen the trauma associated with domestic violence, sexual assault, and other major life transitions to thousands of women, children, and men annually.

Programs of the Women’s Center are supported by state and local government, area United Way agencies and the people and businesses of the communities the agency serves, including Newtown, Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Warren, and Washington.