| The Walk
for Safe Families and Safe Streets had its beginnings
in 1988 under the banner of the Austin Center for Battered
Women. In 1999, that organization merged with the Austin Rape
Crisis Center to form SafePlace Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault Survival Center. The Walk has taken place every year,
building steadily in numbers of participants and dollars
collected. It is SafePlace's biggest fundraising event each
year. |
|
In July 1997 our dear Annie
was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Within a few weeks, we found
SafePlace and all the wonderful people there, and it was very
comforting to direct our attention to working with this fine
organization. The following spring, we formed Annie's Team to raise
money for SafePlace in Annie's memory. We were a mere dozen or so
that year, wearing T-shirts produced on the computer and ironing
board at home. Even so, we made a respectable showing, and we
finished the event determined to increase our efforts the following
year.
And so we have. Each year more good
people have joined us, and more dollars have been collected for
SafePlace. Without exception, each team member is caught up in the
spirit of Walk Day. They keep coming back, each time bringing new
walkers to share this excellent experience.
| So now
we look a bit more polished, and we're certainly a bigger
team. Best of all, our collections keep climbing. It's a
pyramid scheme, working for good. For all of us who knew
Annie, and for those who work and walk in her name, the team
is regular affirmation that Annie's spirit is watching and
guiding us.
Watch for us next year, better
than ever! |
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