Several years ago, Belinda Young of Crawfordsville and Mike Lyons of Rochester, along with their spouses, sat down to discuss what their state projects would be for their year as presidents of the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary.
Common to members of both families was the issue of domestic violence, so they decided Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention would be their joint project.
They selected one home or resource center in each of the state’s four zones — St. Jude House in Crown Point, Hope Springs Safe House in Attica, Alternatives Inc. in Madison County and Crisis Connections in Jasper.
All monies raised during their year as state presidents (2023-24) would be divided equally between the four locations.
Young, who works for the Crawfordsville Parks and Recreation Department and heads up senior services and the Sunshine Van program, is familiar with organizing people and resources.
She and Lyons were aided by Linda Hudson of Crawfordsville and Don Niccum of Lafayette Aerie 347, who served as chairmen for zone 2.
During the year, supplies were collected and delivered to each facility, such as disposable items, toiletries, food for day to day operations. In addition, there was an “Operation Teddy Bear” drive. When children are removed from a home they aren’t able to take personal items with them, so this operation helped provided a stuffed animal for those in need.
The culmination of the state project was recently held at Young’s home auxiliary in Vincennes with a check presentation ceremony. Monies raised totaled $234,559. With the addition of grant monies, the total grew to $267,559, which meant that each location will receive $59,889.
Misty Barnett, director of Hope Springs Safe House of Attica, said they will be receiving matching funds from the United Way. The funds will be utilized for facility expansion and improvements. They currently have 14 beds and the goal is to have 26. During the third quarter of this year they served 78 clients with about 200 served annually.
