October not only is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it is also National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Purple Door needs your help to gather donations and supplies to help those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, more than 10 million women and men fall victim to domestic abuse every year.
The Purple Door always has been there to lend a hand to women, men, and children in need. Now, one local business is giving back to them. Sandia Dollar General store manager Leo Vanscoy said that they always are happy to give back to their community.
“We are a very community-based company so anytime we can get an opportunity to help out the community, we are more than welcome to do it,” he said.
The small store off FM 534 donated more than $2,000 worth of clothes and shoes to the shelter.
“I can honestly say, without a doubt, that because of the way Dollar General is, and the way they have allowed me to be, I can express myself in that way of helping others and same with my team," he said. "So it is just something we traditionally do at this store.”
The Purple Door has seen a steady increase in the number of people needing its services. Because of this, the non-profit program needs to be able to accommodate extra residents. In 2018 the shelter serviced 2,100 individuals.
“Our main office is currently in Corpus, but we have four outreach offices in Beeville, Alice, Kingsville, and Sinton,” said Purple Door Alice chapter victim advocate Graciela Vasquez.
While shelters typically have what they need to provide for survivors' immediate needs, such as food and toiletries, the long-term goal is to help get them back on their feet and on the road to financial stability.
“It is good to know that even in such a small community there is a strong support system for our survivors,” said Vasquez.
The mission of The Purple Door is to empower the community and those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to transition to a safe and healthy environment.
“Why not help others? When you have the opportunity to help others, we should do that,” said Vanscoy.
The Purple Door Hotlines: 1-800-580-4878 or 361-881-8888
