On October 1st, Dain, D and I will be participating, for the 3rd year, in the Walk for Hope to benefit Mutual Ground - a shelter that provides free services to victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

Both Dain's family and my family have been affected by domestic abuse. We are walking once again with "Team Andrea" a group formed in memory and honor of Dain's cousin who lost her life as a victim of domestic abuse.

Mutual Ground, located in Aurora Illinois, gives victims options. Mutual Ground gives victims a future. Mutual Ground gives them safety, healing, support and encouragement. And all the services are free. While revenue does come from government and foundation grants, there is never enough to go around. This year is especially difficult because of the State of Illinois budget cuts and this tough economy.

I hope you will support my fundraising effort and the vital work of Mutual Ground by making a tax deductible donation right now. Here are some examples of what your donation could do:

$17 a child who is a witness to domestic violence will have art supplies.

$26 will provide an individual counseling session for a child who witnessed his mother’s abuse.

$61 will provide two counseling sessions for a victim of domestic violence.

$97 will provide a victim and her family with a night of shelter.

$162 will provide a rape victim with two therapy sessions.

Thank you!

Please be as generous as you can. Donations made on this site are safe and secure. I hope you forward this link to others who may want to help too.

You can learn more about Mutual Ground by visiting their website, www.mutualgroundinc.org.