Greeley Tribune article: Residents are encouraged to make a “vow against domestic violence” this month in a new fundraiser for A Woman’s Place. The nonprofit agency, which helps battered women and their children in Weld County, will host a fundraising event from 5:30-7 p.m. tonight at Cranford Cove Tea Tavern, 823 10th St. in downtown Greeley. Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available.

Those interested can bring cash donations or make donations through A Woman’s Place gift registries at Amazon.com, Bed Bath and Beyond and Target. Residents can either shop online and have items shipped to the shelter or bring them to Cranford Cove. The gift registries are in the form of wedding registries, through which A Woman’s Place administrators have checked off several needed items for the women’s shelter in Weld.

“We need everything from women’s undergarments to cleaning items,” said Karol Patch, executive director for A Woman’s Place. “We’re a 29-bed shelter and we go through a lot of toilet paper and trash bags. We’re constantly cleaning, and flu season is upon us. “In addition, we provide a full-service kitchen for clients to feed their families and we keep that constantly stocked,” Patch said.

Patch said the shelter is growing with the population. Through September, the shelter provided aid to 404 clients. Through all of last year, the agency provided help to 417 residential and nonresidential clients, Patch said. As of Monday, the 29-bed shelter has 28 full beds. “It ebbs and flows, but we usually get full, then we have some down time to breathe, and we haven’t had that since April,” Patch said.

The event is a part of Domestic Violence Awareness month. If organizers are successful, they plan to continue the gift registry through wedding season next spring to not only seek donations but educate residents about healthy relationships. The event tonight is sponsored by the Weld County chapter of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association.

A Woman’s Place has three “gift” registries through which residents can donate by buying necessary items for the women’s shelter. To access those registries, go to: » www.amazon.com/wedding. Under Find a Registry, enter a last name of “AWP.” » www.bedbathandbeyond.com. Under Find a Registry, enter First Name, “Greeley”; Last Name, “AWP”; or enter registry No. 542681025. » www.target.com/wedding. Under Find a Registry, enter “AWP” as the first name and “A Woman’s Place” as the last name. For more, call (970) 351-0476.