Elizabeth Vespe on Nov 18, 2024, 27East.com
When donors support The Retreat’s Adopt-a-Family giving program, they are making a family’s holiday brighter.
“Our Adopt-a-Family program is a chance to empower survivors by letting them buy their own toys, games and clothing for their families through gift cards,” Loretta Davis, executive director of The Retreat, a not-for-profit agency providing a safe haven against domestic violence, said. “Often, it is the first time they have the financial independence to make these decisions.”
The Retreat is a safe haven for families in crisis across Suffolk County. The community- based, not-for-profit agency provides comprehensive domestic violence services for children and adults, support for survivors, and violence prevention community education through a 24-hour bilingual hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and emergency shelter.
“It’s a really great program and our clients are so surprised that people are helping them with their holiday. They’re so appreciative,” Davis said. “It really is an act of generosity.”
The Retreat established Adopt-a-Family nearly 20 years ago when its employees in advocacy recognized a need in their clients. They collected and distributed one gift each for their clients’ children, serving about 20 families in total. Now, this holiday giving program provides for 200 families, more than 450 individuals, all of whom are current clients of The Retreat.
“It’s also a meaningful opportunity to give back by shopping for families in need,” said Cate Carbonaro, incoming executive director of The Retreat. “In addition to gift cards, we’re also accepting essential items, winter gear and gifts for our clients.”
Oftentimes, Davis explained, when a family is in crisis because of abuse, the survivor has to leave their job, friends and possessions.
“They often leave everything but the clothes on their back or a small bag,” she said.
The Retreat operates three shelters in Suffolk County consisting of 52 beds.
The Retreat asks for donations of Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Target, Walmart, Amazon, T.J. Maxx, grocery store, or gas station gift cards with a suggested amount of $100. Socks, slippers, pajamas, leggings, underwear, sports bras, board games, dolls, arts and crafts, activity kits and puzzles, snow boots, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and throw blankets are also on the list.
The Retreat’s business sponsors, Allstate and Gurney’s Montauk have tremendously supported the holiday effort, Davis said.
“People have been very generous and we thank them,” Davis said, adding that many community groups get involved, such as the Girl Scouts, churches, and local businesses.
The Retreat started organizing the drive back in October, getting together all of the names and ages of the families before asking for donations. All of the organization has to be finished before Thanksgiving.
“It empowers our moms and dads to feel good about being able to celebrate a holiday and financially be able to bring their kids joy by getting them something they want or need,” Davis added. “People are so generous. The churches get involved, the Jewish Center, the libraries. They all contribute in one way or another. It’s a win-win.”
The Adopt-a-Family program is open and ready for donations and participants can start dropping off gifts the week of December 2 to The Retreat’s administrative office at 13 Goodfriend Drive in East Hampton.
Santa Claus himself makes a visit to the shelter, too, Davis explained.
“Every year the kids pull on his beard to see if it’s real,” she chuckled. “And it’s real.”
To learn more and donate, visit allagainstabuse.org/events.
If you or someone you know needs help, call The Retreat’s 24-hour hotline at (631) 329-2200. For more information, visit allagainstabuse.org or follow @allagainstabuse.
