UK Community Can Help Take Stand Against Domestic Violence

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 24, 2013) — Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto is joining Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear to help collect goods and donations for the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA) with the Shop & 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. 2.

“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 & 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 asks Big Blue Nation to support Shop & Share and KDVA in this cause. Kroger and Food City 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 Bluegrass Domestic Violence Shelter in Lexington.          

Shifts will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in two-hour increments Feb. 2.  To sign up to volunteer please visit http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/firstlady/20130109shopshare.htm.   

Last year, the combined goods and monetary donations for Shop & Share were more than $782,000.  This year, the goal is to raise more than $1 million for Kentucky domestic violence shelters.

For more information on Shop & Share, please visit http://firstlady.ky.gov/Pages/shopshare.aspx.