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BENEFIT: Safe Space of St. Charles helps families

 

DESTREHAN – A Safe Space of St. Charles received an unexpected charitable grant of $100,000 from the Valero Benefit for Children this year, despite the cancellation of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament and associated events.

“We needed this now more than ever!” said Shirley Sims, executive director of A Safe Space of St. Charles. “Due to the pandemic, all of our fundraisers for 2020 were cancelled. We held a virtual auction a couple of weeks ago, but the funds generated by that event were not enough to cover the losses of our cancelled fundraisers. We are so grateful for Valero, its donors, and to be a charity partner! This grant means that we do not have to worry about closing our doors to victims of domestic violence.”

A Safe Space of St. Charles is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports victims and survivors of domestic violence and their dependents. The funds from Valero Benefit for Children will be used to support kids that are impacted by domestic violence, operate a secure safe house, and provide resources for clients and children to overcome the abuse.

Due to the incredible generosity of Valero’s business partners, donors and sponsors, more than $14 million in net proceeds from the Valero Texas Open will be distributed to agencies across the United States, fueling the work of hundreds of charity partners like A Safe Space of St. Charles when the need has never been greater.

A Safe Space of St. Charles provides free counseling, emergency shelter, food, clothing, and assistance with essential resources. Permanent housing assistance is available for victims in St. Charles Parish who qualify.

Founded in 2009, A Safe Space of St. Charles is the only domestic violence advocacy and support organization in the parish. Though stationed in St. Charles Parish, victims from all over the country are welcomed and supported. A Safe Space of St. Charles is a proud partner of United Way of St. Charles and works in partnership with several healthcare, legal and private agencies.

Also receiving a $25,000 donation from the 2020 Valero Benefit for Children was the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana’s mission is to provide a “home-away-from-home” to families of seriously ill or injured children and programs that give comfort, compassion and care to children and their families. In 2019, its Ronald McDonald House New Orleans was just such a home to 483 families who traveled many miles to receive specialized medical care for their child at nearby medical facilities.

Ronald McDonald House New Orleans reopened in September and provides free accommodations, meals, support and transportation, when needed.

“We are very grateful to receive funds from Valero Benefit for Children, especially this year with the challenges created by the pandemic and our active hurricane season,” said Executive Director Marianne Addy.

Due to the incredible generosity of Valero’s business partners, donors and sponsors, more than $14 million in net proceeds from the Valero Texas Open will be distributed to agencies across the United States, fueling the work of hundreds of charity partners when the need has never been greater.

During the pandemic, the local charity launched a “Comforts of Home” program to assist families of pediatric families at local hospitals needing some extra assistance.  For more information or to donate, please visit the charity website at www.rmhc-sla.org or call 504-486-6668.