YWCA Utah Press Release for Candy Cane Lane Event
YWCA UTAH CALLS FOR COMMUNITY TO DONATE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS
More than 250 individuals benefit from annual holiday gifting event
Salt Lake City, UT, December 2021—A dozen local businesses and donors will come together to sponsor Candy Cane Lane at YWCA Utah, a special holiday gifting event to benefit families living on campus at the domestic violence crisis shelter and transitional housing, December 14–18, 2021, 2 p.m.–6 p.m. More than 250 women and children live at YWCA Utah at any time, many arriving without even their most basic belongings. This event will provide them winter essentials like coats and snow gloves, along with gifts that will brighten their holiday like family game night baskets, brand new toys, and even treats for their furry companions, too.The annual event is entirely staffed by volunteers and stocked by new, in-kind donations from the community and generous donors, totaling close to $100,000 in support of survivors of domestic violence in Salt Lake City. The pop-up store will stage around 5,000 items at a time while volunteers fulfill families’ wish lists, cycle through inventory, and uphold Covid protocols by disinfecting common areas frequently. The safety of the community on and off campus is of the utmost importance as we gather, package, and deliver gifts to our vulnerable community.Due to the new environment, families will receive their items after the event, lifting privacy concerns and allowing the community to get involved, visit with leadership and spokespeople, and pay their respects to domestic violence victims Gabriela Sifuentes Castilla, Shandon Nicole Scott, and Lopine "Chynna" Toilolo, who were all killed by their abusive partners within the last year. There will be a memorial set up in their honor at the event. Those who can’t make it on site can engage with us on Instagram and Facebook at YWCA Utah, learn more about the event, our sponsors, and join in fun holiday giveaways.A special thank you to the top-level sponsors making this event possible including doTERRA, Silac Insurance Company, Modern SLC Injections & Aesthetics, Integrated Solutions, and our friends Mark & Kathie Miller and GAP/Banana Republic representatives. A special mention to Project Warm donating more than 225 winter coats to keep our residents warm and stylish this holiday season. More about the event and opportunities to support at www.ywcautah.org/candycanelane.For media inquiries and interviews contact Priscilla Rountree at prountree@ywcautah.org.
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ABOUT YWCA UTAHOur mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote justice, peace, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA Utah does this through several equity programs, domestic violence services benefiting a diverse population of women and children, and leadership and training opportunities to help women in our community gain the skills they need to live fulfilled lives—changing the family dynamic starts with enriching women’s lives.