Volunteers Needed for Shop and Share Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 18, 2012) ― Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto is joining Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear to help raise $500,000 in goods and donations for the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA) with the Shop and Share program. Kentuckians across the state will have the opportunity to volunteer for this charitable cause. Capilouto is asking University of Kentucky students, staff and faculty to offer their support and to volunteer at the donation stands in Kroger Stores across the state Saturday, Feb 4.

“At its heart, the idea of education linked with service is what a university is all about," Capilouto said. "It is fundamental to who we are."

The 15 KDVA domestic violence shelters in Kentucky take in more than 4,000 residents, including children. These residents have taken the first and possibly most difficult step to leave their abusive partner. The KDVA programs provide the support they need to stay out of that abusive situation and start anew.

The Shop and Share program does more than raise donations for a cause, “but as a result, we will also draw needed attention to – and focus on – the issue of domestic violence and abuse,” Capilouto said.

Capilouto recalled her work with a domestic violence organization in Birmingham, “I remember vividly that one of the founders of this effort talked about the echoes of individuals – working in the vineyards of tough challenges – and how their efforts, collectively, reverberated among others to create change.”

Capilouto asks Big Blue Nation to support the Shop and Share and KDVA in this cause. Kroger Stores in participating counties will be collecting needed items such as canned foods, toilet paper and soap. Volunteers are also needed to manage the donation stands and deliver items to the Lexington shelter.

Shifts will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in two-hour increments Feb. 4.  To sign up to volunteer please visit http://firstlady.ky.gov/Pages/shopshare.aspx or contact Olivia Spradlin with the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program at olivia.spradlin@bdvp.org. 

Volunteers also are needed to pick up items from each of the 12 Lexington Kroger stores and deliver them to the Lexington shelter at noon and at 5 p.m. Anyone interested in that opportunity, can email jaclyn.farmer@ky.gov directly.