Jackson Free Press

A preliminary count shows that the 3rd annual JFP Chick Ball raised just over $7,000 for the Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl. This amount was raised through direct donations, a $5 cover charge, $5 raffle tickets for 25 door-prize packages donated by local businesses, the sale of t-shirts purchased by the Jackson alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theater sorority and a silent auction of art by dozens of artists and prize packages donated by businesses. Those prizes included diamond earrings donated by Carter Jewelers. The amount raised surpassed the total of the first two Chick Balls, which together raised about $5,000 for the center.

Previous Commentsshow

Congratulations! That's wonderful! Maybe you'll get $10,000 next time, huh? :-)

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

Yes, I said today that $10,000 should be our goal next year. My goal this year was $5,000, and we beat that by $2,000! ;-) The center is just thrilled. Their funds are always tight, so it benefits them immediately, going directly to aid victims. For instance, right now they're trying to get a family into an apartment and need money for the deposits and the like. They just had to buy a victim a new tire, so she could get around on her own. And so on. She made me cry when we talked about it today. This is a cause where your help is felt immediately. We do appreciate every single thing that people did. We are running a full-page ad next week to give props to everyone. BTW, all, we can still take your donation, no matter how small. Please make a check out to Center for Violence Prevention and drop it at the office next week, or mail it to JFP, PO Box 2047, Jackson, 39225. We deposited all the cash in their account today so they'd have immediate access (the staff was busy helping a new family). We're getting them the checks and credit card donations next week, so there's still time to be part of this gift from JFP readers to the Center. Thank you, everyone.

DonnaLadd

May 18 2007

The center is just thrilled. Their funds are always tight, so it benefits them immediately, going directly to aid victims. For instance, right now they're trying to get a family into an apartment and need money for the deposits and the like. They just had to buy a victim a new tire, so she could get around on her own. And so on. She made me cry when we talked about it today. This is a cause where your help is felt immediately. Wow. Time to get the beach towel. (sniff)

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

Could other donations be accepted like furniture and clothing? Of course in good condition. I have plenty of household things that could be useful but like many others who want to help, not able to write a check for any amount that I feel would help.

old&tired

May 18 2007

Actually, that's a good point. They run a thriftstore. Let me get specifics and post back on Monday about it. Good call. Although I will say that $5 helps—especially when added to all the other $5 donations that we got last night! ;-)

DonnaLadd

May 18 2007

Thanks. I can bring a truckload to donate! But you are right, ya'll $5 it all the way to $7,000. I just feel bad about writing a check for five or ten when they deserve so much more.

old&tired

May 18 2007

I can relate, OT. (just doesn't feel right calling you old and tired :-) At least your heart is in the right place. Some people have more money and couldn't care less what anyone else needs. Remember the story in the Bible about the old widow who put the last bit of change in the offering plate? It meant something because she gave all she had. Even though the wealthy people gave more mathematically, it was less than hers as far as percentages go. Blessings come with true sacrifice, so your $5 is worth a lot more than you think.

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

I know, OT. But as I sat and counted all those $5 bills and $1 bills and checks for $5 and $10 today—that eventually added up to $7,000—I truly realized the power of individuals when we bother to give even $5. It was sobering and wonderful. We also had $2 in quarters in the till that somebody gave us.

DonnaLadd

May 18 2007

I really got to change my screen name. lol The $2 in change teared me up. I can relate so much to the cause. I was in a violent marriage for 2 years (20 years ago) before my huge teddy bear of a dad and bulldog of a sister found a bruise on me. They brought me out and got me and got me on my feet. I can not imagine not having anyone to turn to. What brought me out of the whole deception of lies was my dad telling me, "You know how I always made your mother do the discipline, I never wanted you to think a man ever has a right to lay a hand on you". I woke up fast and never looked back.

old&tired

May 18 2007

Sorry for the repetition. Tearing up with old memories.

old&tired

May 18 2007

What brought me out of the whole deception of lies was my dad telling me, "You know how I always made your mother do the discipline, I never wanted you to think a man ever has a right to lay a hand on you". I woke up fast and never looked back. My dad never said that, but it was like that in our house for the most part, and probably because three out of the four kids were girls. We thought he was the cool dad. However, our mom told us recently that he would see us do something wrong and then rat on us to her. All those years he was sending us to the lions' den, and we didn't even know it. LOL

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

Let me also mention that I see now that I am in the company of some strong, powerful women. I could learn a thing or two from y'all.

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

I can so relate to that. Dad was the best and Mom was just down right mean! But this discussion is really weighing heavy on my heart. I was 22 and had a 6 month old child. If they hadn't helped me, there is no telling what my and my son's life would have turned out to be. We aren't rich, but we are safe. I can only hope somebody reads this tonight and makes a decision that they have had enough and deserve better. At least we know there are good people out there who care and want help.

old&tired

May 18 2007

I meant want to help. Strong we are but you got one who doesn't proofread to well!

old&tired

May 18 2007

Did you see the episode on Oprah about the man who beat his wife and made his son videotape it? They're doing the second part on Monday, I think. I'm glad that clown's in jail. This discussion also reminds of the women in Darfur and the Congo who have been and are being raped and mutilated by rebel soldiers. Pray for them.

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

You're right. There are so many countries where women are still considered property and not humans. Logic would dictate that after so many years and cycles of abuse the children have seen would bring it to another level of understanding. But instead it seems that boys turn into men who see this as an acceptable way and the girls become women who knows no other way. We can only pray that the more exposure brought to the situation, can come a solution. What we need is a world wide Chick Ball!

old&tired

May 18 2007

I'd like to donate some money. Where can we mail donations to?

golden eagle

May 18 2007

Part II of the Oprah special I spoke of will be on Wednesday. Did you hear about the girl in Iraq who was stoned to death because she fell in love with a guy who was outside of her religious sect? These so-called honor killings need to stop. I was watching Anderson Cooper tonight, and he said that they still go on in Turkey even though it's supposed to be outlawed. They kill women for wanting a divorce and make it look like a suicide. Some of the women just went ahead and killed themselves. It's really sad. Okay, I'm going to bed. I was up until 4 AM working on the "Wake Up Jackson" stuff and then slept for about four hours. I'm out. Chick powers, activate!

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

I'd like to donate some money. Where can we mail donations to? Per Donna: Please make a check out to Center for Violence Prevention and drop it at the office next week, or mail it to JFP, PO Box 2047, Jackson, 39225. Okay, I'm really gone this time.

LatashaWillis

May 18 2007

Oh, thanks, L.W. Please do send a check, golden. As I've said, amount doesn't matter. Every quarter helps. ;-) Think about it this way, OT. Take the woman who needed the new car to have transportation for her family in order to escape the abuse. Say it costs $150. Fifteen people read this, and can only send $10 apiece. Voila! She has a tire! That's the power of individuals, and it's something we haven't explored quite enough in our state, I think. It's true politically as well. The key is believing that your quarters, or your vote, counts. Marianne Williamson writes a lot about how we change the world by doing what we can individually and in our immediate surroundings. Of course, Jesus had a few words to say about, too. And Buddha. And Muhammed. ... ;-D Thank you, all. Your power is amazing.

DonnaLadd

May 19 2007

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. " Margaret Mead

The Conductor

May 19 2007

Conductor, I heard that you did a great job that night. Do you have any examples of your work posted online?

LatashaWillis

May 19 2007

Last year the JFP did a podcast of some of my stuff. I'm in the process of putting some of it up on a myspace page. Started last year and never did anything with it. The poetry is cathartic and I can't begin to tell you how much it means when it touches someone who has been in some of the same situations I've been in. We're so lucky to have the JFP and how about the committee? Those girls rock!

The Conductor

May 19 2007

I'm going to make a donation, and I would like to challenge everyone who's reading this--whether you post here or not--to make a donation of at least $20. Think about what we spend $20 on in a week or even a month. That could go towards diapers and formula for a baby whose mother escaped to the shelter with literally the clothes on her and her children's backs in order to get away from her abusive husband or boyfriend. There are many women and children who need our help. I'm going to scratch that check right now and put it in my car tonight so that I won't walk off and leave it at home tomorrow.

golden eagle

May 20 2007

I was also thinking our goal should be $10K next year!! I am so glad that I could be part of this and that we raised both money and awareness. Please let us know about the thrift store, Donna... I will be moving soon and could also donate some furniture and maybe even clothes.

music chick

May 21 2007

Golden eagle, count me in for $20.00. I just need to know to whom and the address to send the money. This is such a worthy cause!

justjess

May 21 2007

Just send to: Jackson Free Press, PO Box 2047, Jackson, MS 39225 Make checks out to: Center for Violence Prevention.

DonnaLadd

May 21 2007

Donna, you may need to put that info in the article because it looks like a lot of people will need that address. :-)

LatashaWillis

May 21 2007

I grew up in Clinton, Ms from the time I was 8 till I was 18 and saw first hand what being part of the "good ol boy" community meant. From being a boy and seeing my friends Mom always hurt and afraid of 5:30pm when the husband got home to the Police Officers who would prey on the high school girls and use thier position to manipulate and abuse power. It was a wonderful and powerful event to be part of. It made me proud to be from Mississippi for the first time in a long time. I moved away for a very long time to escape the feeling of being trapped in this state of so much despair and sadness. It is good to be back and see hope. It's good to see so many women who refuse to be cowed and who, like me, know that a any man who puts his hands on a woman or child in anger is not worthy of being called a man.

Ray

May 22 2007

amen, Ray...love heals us, but we must be strong enough to demand better treatment, and help each other get out of bad situations.

Izzy

May 23 2007

Folks, we're up to $7,508. Also, we got golden eagle's check in the mail yesterday. Anyone else want to add to the total. Send checks made out to Center for Violence Prevention to: Ronni Mott, JFP, POB 2047, Jackson, MS 39216. Thanks!

DonnaLadd

May 23 2007

btw, that event was probably the most racially and socially diverse event I've attended in JAckson. I love that - people coming together for a common cause. I was in New York this past weekend and overheard two guys dissing on the south for being so racist. Yet there were only white people at the party where they were having that conversation. We can be the new example of a racially collaborative city if we keep at it!!!!

Izzy

May 23 2007

And don't forget age diversity! That's a vital component that is too often missing. I was in New York this past weekend and overheard two guys dissing on the south for being so racist. Yet there were only white people at the party where they were having that conversation. I've had those experiences many times in other places. It's one reason I came home. We have to tackle this issues everywhere, so I may as well do it here in the state I love the most around my own people. ;-) And you're right: We can be the model for the entire country. We just have to believe it. So to speak. (And face it; denial never works.)

DonnaLadd

May 23 2007