COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Saturday, local public safety partners and the City of Columbia joined forces with Sistercare at the Soda City Market to raise funds and raise awareness of domestic violence.
Sistercare, a nonprofit organization providing services and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and their children, set up a dunk tank where attendees could donate for a chance to dunk public safety officials.
“This is a fun new initiative,” said Leah Wicevic, Sistercare’s executive director. “It's a great way to bring awareness to the work that we do at Sistercare and also have some fun and dunk some local celebrities.”
This event marked the first of three Sistercare Saturday fundraising events, held with the support of the city of Columbia and other public safety partners for the second consecutive year.
“It’s always a great opportunity when we can partner as the city of Columbia with different organizations who are doing great work in the community to benefit all of our citizens and residents,” said Trevon Fordham, director of the city’s Office of Violent Crime Prevention.
Fordham took on the role of being dunked by those who donated to Sistercare.
“I will say everything is about a learning experience,” Fordham explained. “Last year, I was just coming in, I was brand new, probably three weeks on the job, so I did it last year and I was talking trash to everybody, even the little kids. This year, I was very humble, but I got dunked a lot more.”
Last year, Sistercare served over 4,000 people in the Midlands area, highlighting the need for their services and the importance of partnering with other organizations to address domestic violence.
“It’s such a prevalent issue in our community, and Sistercare can’t do it alone; the city of Columbia can’t do it alone,” Wicevic said. “We are so much more powerful in sending the message that domestic violence is not okay if we partner together.”
With 42% of women currently experiencing domestic violence, Wicevic said the money raised will help amplify their work.
“We operate two emergency shelters, we have a clinical department where we have counselors standing by to provide services, we have a 24/7 crisis line, and court advocacy, as well, for survivors, so we plan to use these funds to continue serving survivors,” Wicevic said.
It’s not just about raising money. Wicevic said that one in 10 children witness domestic violence in their home at some point during their adolescent years, which is why Sistercare is using this opportunity to educate those who stop by.
“Being out here with adults and kids, people even have their dogs,” Wicevic added. "It's a great opportunity to bring awareness to not only domestic violence happening right here right now but also prevention for future generations."
For those who missed this Sistercare Saturday fundraising festivities, additional events will be at Soda City Market on Aug. 24 and Sept. 7.