Lawrenceburg, In. — A record number attended the 4th annual Bash Before the Stash at the Lawrenceburg Event Center on June 1 to support efforts to curb domestic violence. Through sponsorships, donations and ticket sales, over $40,000 was raised for Safe Passage, the nonprofit domestic and sexual violence shelter that provides emergency shelter, intervention and prevention programming to Dearborn, Franklin, Ripley, Ohio, Switzerland and Jefferson Counties.
Anytime Fitness hosts the special event with all proceeds going to Safe Passage John Spence, owner of 21 Anytime Fitness facilities, is on the board of Safe Passage, and spearheaded this successful fundraiser with support from his staff and business partners Michael Gelfgot and Christian Slater. Adding this latest amount, Anytime Fitness has raised over $130,000 for Safe Passage by hosting the past three Bash events all at the Event Center. Organizers noted that final numbers aren’t in yet, and could go much higher due to a Brees Dream Foundation match that will be submitted.
Although Safe Passage serves six counties, this is a major fundraiser for the Dearborn County support services. The organization has a satellite office in downtown Lawrenceburg with a fulltime case manager and is where weekly support group meetings are held.
Jane Yorn, executive director of Safe Passage, was overwhelmed with the response from Anytime Fitness and the community. “We are so pleased with the support of the county either by attending this event, decorating a table, sponsoring it or providing an auction item. Dearborn County is our top service county of the six we serve so it’s wonderful to see the community support our life-saving work. “ She added, “Anytime Fitness puts on a first-rate event, and the time and energy they donate to make it successful is just humbling. We at Safe Passage feel very blessed to have such a caring partner in the community.” The money raised from the Bash will go to prevention programming and support services for victims and their children.
This year, the host invited local businesses to decorate tables to show their support and to expose more people to their organization or business. There was a beach theme and the guests enjoyed seeing the impressive creativity from the many local organizations. WLWT TV broadcaster Sheree Paollelo (an East Central alum) once again emceed the program. A personal story from a domestic violence victim about growing up in a violent family received a standing ovation. A live auction featuring eight items and a silent auction with over 30 baskets/packages helped raise money for Safe Passage. The audience met the challenge to raise enough money that evening to purchase a leased vehicle from Haag Ford for Safe Passage. It is used primarily to transport clients for various needs.
Since the nonprofit was established in 1997, Safe Passage has helped free 12,000 victims and their children from a lifestyle of domestic violence. No fees are charged for shelter or outreach services, and much of the funding comes from private donations and fundraisers. Safe Place, a sexual assault crisis center and service provider, is a division of Safe Passage and was added to the services this year.
