As an organization founded by a team of community leaders, Help End Abuse for Life (HEAL) and The Nest have a history of deep connections within the community of Lincoln County, but few supporters have spent as many hours contributing to the efforts to end violence in our community as St. Eleanor Catholic Church. Now, the church has announced a program to help pay winter heating bills for the survivors and families who leave the protective embrace of the Nest to set up their new lives.
Resa Mercado, spokeswoman for the church’s Come in From the Cold campaign committee, said the idea to raise money to help cover heating bills evolved during discussion of possible outreach programs to help the community at large.
St. Eleanor’s support of HEAL is well established through the work of the late, beloved Deacon Bob Racicot who was a board member and creative fundraiser for the organization. HEAL’s major annual fundraiser, the Deacon Bob Open charity golf tournament, continues in his honor.
“We thought it was appropriate to structure a program that not only would honor our dear friend, Bob, but, more importantly, help the women of HEAL,” Mercado said. “We also decided to choose a specific purpose: direct help to those who leave the program and face the really tough task of resuming their lives.”
The committee conducted private fundraising for the program. In addition, St. Eleanor’s will donate money collected at Masses on December 14 and December 15. All funds collected by the committee will be turned over to the HEAL administration, which will be responsible for distribution.
In addition to Mercado, Come in From the Cold committee members are Cindy Buzan, Greg Cory, Leon Kranz and Ned Cantwell.
The Come in From the Cold campaign is important because it amps up the church’s support of HEAL. While the church has a long history of supporting the work done within The Nest, the Come in From the Cold program supports the work of survivors once they have left the safety of the shelter. It is a loving and helpful way to assist with the transition.
Pictured: St. Eleanor Come in From the Cold committee member Greg Cory explains to parishioner Maria Misquez the program to pay heating bills for women leaving the NEST.
