Gala Event Raises Over $177,000 for Victims of Domestic Violence

DES MOINES, IA (08/28/2009)(readMedia)-- Tango, Children & Families of Iowa's annual gala event, raised over $177,000 for victims of domestic violence. There were 467 attendees at the event, each representing one night of shelter and services for one victim with the purchase of their tickets.

Event organizers estimate that the amount raised will help to provide over 2,000 nights of shelter and services at Children & Families of Iowa's domestic violence programs, or a month of care for a capacity shelter.

The event couldn't have come at a better time. In the past year, Children & Families of Iowa has seen a 38 percent increase in crisis calls and the need for safe shelter increase by 13 percent. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that as many as 40,000 Iowans experience domestic violence every year. National statistics suggest that one in every four women will experience domestic violence.

Children & Families of Iowa provides help, healing, and hope to people affected by domestic violence in Iowa. Their domestic violence services provide safe shelter, advocacy and outreach for over 7,000 victims every year. In the past five years, the organization has served over 44,000 victims of domestic violence.

Children & Families of Iowa is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope, building futures and changing lives across Iowa. If you'd like to know more about domestic violence in Iowa, or to schedule an interview, please contact Amanda Acton at (515) 697-7969, e-mail her at AmandaA@cfiowa.org, or visit www.cfiowa.org