Matching Donations: Double the Fun

How would you like your donation to be twice as nice this year? Making double the impact for Open Arms is easy!

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has declared December 17th "Match Day." That means you can make a donation to The Community Foundation to benefit Open Arms - and get it matched penny for penny! The Community Foundation will match donations given to support local Health and Human Service organizations that meet the immediate needs of Hancock County residents.

Mark your calendars for December 17th and follow these steps to double your donation:

• Donations must be a minimum of $100 to be matched; maximum amount matched is $10,000
• Make checks payable to The Community Foundation and write Open Arms in the memo area
• Checks written to Open Arms will not be matched
• Drop off your donation at The Community Foundation (located at 101 West Sandusky Street, Suite 207) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on December 17th
• Or simply drop off your donation at our office before December 17 and we will bring the collected checks to The Community Foundation on Match Day
• Matching funds are on a first-come first-served basis and The Community Foundation is offering $300,000 in matching funds

If you have any further questions, check out http://www.community-foundation.com/.

A Survivor of Rape, Sexual Assualt and Domestic Violence: One Client's Story

By the 17th of November we had responded to 26 rape calls at the emergency room. Five of those were in the first two weeks of November alone.

Sadly, statistics teach us that most rape victims are actually assaulted in their homes. Occasionally after a rape situation a victim realizes that it is unsafe to return home, either because the offender has access to her there or because her home needs safety repairs to doors and locks.

In the last month we have housed two women who survived sexual assaults and found themselves in this situation. One of the women was fleeing a husband who has an extensive history of violence and abuse. She relocated after he was incarcerated for several domestic violence charges. She was sexually assaulted in her new home by an acquaintance of the person she was staying with.

When describing her assault she says, “I like to think it has made me a stronger person, but I continue to battle with my emotions everyday and keep a lot of things bottled inside.”

Besides shelter and support the women have been assisted by Open Arms staff in working with the criminal justice system and obtaining protection orders.

Calling all Santa's Helpers...

We're gearing up for something special in December- our Client Christmas Party! And we are looking forward to this celebration. It's a time when we share dinner, play games and give gifts. To top it off, Santa even makes an appearance. However, Santa needs your help!

We are taking donations of gifts for children and women. If you wish to be one of Santa's helpers, please bring all donations to our office at 401 West Sandusky Street by December 15th. Take care to ensure that all toys, books, games or other gifts are nonviolent. Please do not wrap the gifts, as the women enjoy wrapping them for their children and staff wrap the gifts for women.

Check out other ways to help at the bottom of this page. See our "More Information" box and click on "Ways to Help this Holiday."

More than Security

The staff here at Open Arms has come to know our security officers well. They work during our Harmony House program, which offers supervised visits and exchanges for children. Our security officers are comprised of officers, detectives and sergeants from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office and the Findlay Police Department. We have developed wonderful working relationships with them.

These security officers have gone beyond dedicating their expertise and donated cleaning supplies to us! We are always in need of paper products and cleaning supplies, and the security officers decided to provide us with further help by donating.

In addition to this, the Findlay Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #20 gave us a cash donation! The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is a national organization and the local chapter, made up of Findlay Police Officers, presented this kind donation.

We are thankful for the relationships that have been formed through working together and for your continued support!

Happy Halloween Parade

On Tuesday, October 28, we joined in the fun of Findlay's Halloween Parade. Our float featured children's houses and play sets to proudly proclaim that Open Arms promotes safe and healthy families.

The night was chilly, but the streets were lined with people enjoying the festivities. Our staff and volunteers walked alongside the float and passed out candy to children, which put a smile on their faces and ours. Thanks to all who were involved in making the float and this year's parade a success!