‘Giving Tuesday’ set for December 3, donate to Verde Valley Sanctuary
Agency seeking 31 ‘Giving Tuesday’ donations in honor of its 31 years of service
COTTONWOOD, ARIZ. — Verde Valley Sanctuary recently announced that it will be participating in Giving Tuesday this year, which is slated for December 3.
Created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good, this global movement unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world. It has inspired millions to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
Using a pseudonym to protect her identity, Amanda commented on her recent journey with Verde Valley Sanctuary in a letter to the agency:
“Hi, my name is Amanda and my journey with Verde Valley Sanctuary started in February 2024 and ended June 27, 2024. There are moments in life when darkness seems overwhelming, and the light at the end of the tunnel feels impossible to reach. For me, that light was Verde Valley Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter that became my sanctuary when I needed it most. If it weren’t for this incredible place, I would still be trapped in an abusive relationship, unable to see my worth or imagine a future free from fear. When I first arrived at shelter, I was broken lost, and unsure of what to do next. The staff welcomed me with open arms, showing me a level of love and compassion that I hadn’t experienced in years. They didn’t just offer me a safe place to stay, they offered me hope, guidance, and a second chance at life,” the letter stated.
“Through their unwavering support, I began to believe in myself again. With their encouragement, I was able to earn my high school diploma – a dream I thought was out of reach – and now, I’m on my way to college. They fed me when I didn’t have the means, clothed me when I had nothing, and helped me see the beauty in myself that had been buried under years of pain and self-doubt. And it wasn’t just me who experienced this transformation. I saw the countless other women come through the doors of Verde Valley Sanctuary, each one shown the same love, care and respect that I received. Even my dog, who had been a source of comfort during my darkest days, was welcomed and cared for as if she were family,” the letter stated.
The letter continued, “The Verde Valley Sanctuary is more than just a shelter, it is a lifeline, a beacon of hope for people who have nowhere else to turn. The staff here saved my life, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to rebuild my future. I don’t know where I would be today if there had never been an opening for me at the Sanctuary. All I know is that I am here, thriving, and filled with hope for the future thanks to the love and support I received in my darkest moments. Thank you, Verde Valley Sanctuary for everything!”
Verde Valley Sanctuary provided services to nearly 1,400 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in fiscal year 2023-24, including nearly 10,000 bed nights provided and more than 1,000 crisis hotline calls answered.
The agency is celebrating it’s 31 years of service to the community with a goal of 31 gifts on Giving Tuesday, which is December 3. Some of those amounts can include donating $10 to support one survivor for one day, $72 to support Verde Valley Sanctuary’s food program for one day and $284 to support one survivor for one month.
It costs roughly $1,570 per day to operate the emergency shelter, according to a recent agency fiscal year budget.
“On behalf of those who we serve every day, all year long, our staff at VVS thanks you in advance for participating in “Giving Tuesday” this year,” Development and Communications Director Brian Bergner said. “We hope it is a very special holiday season for you and your loved ones. I know it will be for us! Your efforts are an integral part of our work, which is to ensure that no one facing domestic and sexual violence feels powerless or alone.”
For more information, or to donate, please click here.
About
Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The agency began in 1994 as a grassroots organization with a leased modular home that slept six and has grown into a 32-bed emergency shelter with transitional housing options, a lay legal advocacy center, community-based advocacy support, a 24/7/365 crisis hotline (928-634-2511) and a staff that takes pride in its youth violence prevention education and public outreach and awareness. VVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and qualifying charitable organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. Federal Tax ID: #86-071314; QCO Code: #20041. Visit VerdeValleySanctuary.org for more information.