News Item

AWARE Inc.'s renovation project gets support from local businesses, community members
Published: Friday, June 10, 2011, 11:00 AM

By

Tarryl Jackson | Jackson Citizen Patriot

The Jackson Citizen Patriot

Several local businesses and community members have pitched in for an
“extreme makeover” this summer at AWARE Inc.’s women’s shelter.

Panera
Bread and its customers recently donated about $4,200 for the project,
which includes renovating the children’s room and sprucing up the
women’s relaxation room at the shelter.

The Women’s Leadership
Council, a newly formed affiliate of the United Way of Jackson County,
is coordinating the project and hopes to get started in late June or
early July.

The group wants to paint, add new window treatments
and lighting and bring in new furniture and appliances to make the space
more fun and inviting.

Home Depot is supplying the paint, stain
and painting supplies for the project, and Christoff & Sons has
donated two 8-by-10 area rugs valued at $500.

The council has
also secured the support of local contractors Jerry Willcut and Steve
Baldwin, the Jackson Home Builders Association and other service
providers.

“As usual, this community has really stepped up and
gotten behind a needed project,” said Dea Talmage, the council’s United
Way representative. “We’re ecstatic.”

The council has been trying to get local businesses and community members to either donate to the project or volunteer to help.

Rebecca
Filip, executive director at AWARE, estimated that all the work and new
items involved would cost about $12,000, which the nonprofit doesn’t
have available.

She said she is impressed with how the Women’s Leadership Council came together and secured support for the project.

To donate or volunteer for the AWARE renovation project, contact Jessica Embury at 414-8396 or jessicaembury777@msn.com.