Sheltering Hearts Fundraiser Supports PDC Orenda Center

PDC Orenda Center Fundraiser to Take Place Feb. 13

Marshfield, WI (OnFocus) The PDC Orenda Center will hold its Sheltering Hearts fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 13.

The event is the signature fundraiser for the nonprofit, which has been dedicated since 1977 to assisting victims of abuse and sexual assault in the Marshfield area and Clark County.

“The fundraising that we do all directly goes back to supporting these services that we provide to victims,” said Renee Schulz, Executive Director. “Our mission is to help provide safety as well as any other support they identify that they need to be able to help them overcome the barriers of either leaving, or being able to live independently free from abuse.”

[Related: Handmade Dollhouse a Dedicated Project for PDC Fundraiser]

Now in its 16th year, Sheltering Hearts occurs annually around Valentine’s Day to emphasize the idea of a safe home. Since it moved to a new location in September 2018, the PDC Orenda Center has added emergency short-term shelter to its services.

“Because we didn’t have a facility right here for them to stay, we worked with community partners to provide that safety for them until we could get them living independently,” said Schulz. “We were fortunate enough to add the shelter component to the work we do, which has been able to help us round out services.”

&

In 2019, 3,650 nights of shelter were provide to victims and their children. While the center’s goal is a 30 day stay, the average stay is significantly greater.

“There are so many different things that need to be addressed in order to get individuals to a point where they can live independently and safely,” said Schulz. “We’re definitely finding that the need is even greater than what we had anticipated going into this, and we’re very glad that we’re able to provide that for individuals in our community.”

The PDC Orenda Center can help individuals secure employment and housing, and works with its community partners to provide additional services to address needs such as mental health and addiction.

The nonprofit also provides supervised visitation and safe exchanges, legal advocacy for restraining orders and divorce hearings, safety planning, personal advocacy for sexual assault testing, and family support in child abuse and neglect cases, among other services.

Through PDC Orenda Center, 325 adult victims received advocacy and support. There were 1,276 individual advocacy appointments and 978 safety plans created.

The Sheltering Hearts fundraiser will feature a family-style dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions. The live auction, the most exciting part of the evening, includes a Puerto Rican therapy package, Escape Room event, Bayfield getaway, brewery tour, and much more.

“There’s really a little bit for everyone,” said Schulz.

To register, fill out the registration form, call the agency at 715-384-2971, or send an email to [email protected]. Individual tickets and full table reservations are available.

The event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at RiverEdge Golf Course.