Whikto youths host fundraiser to support Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force's efforts to educate young women via GEMS
(Talk of the Town photo by TRSmith of the Tribune-News) Whitko students recently held a benefit concert to raise funds for the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force in memory of their friend, the late Kaylin Doggendorf. From left above is Alycia Long, Sherry Sausaman of the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force, Eric Blanton, Erika Fugate, Jessica Zinsmeister and Breanna Welsh.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
In memory of a dearly departed friend, five Whitko High School freshmen recently pooled their talents and resources to host a fundraiser for the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force.
The benefit concert, called "Caring for Kaylin," was held in memory of classmate and friend Kaylin Doggendorf who was murdered last year. The event featured three high school bands and raised $160.25 for the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force.
"It is a perfect fit to the be used to support the program that the Whitley County Domestic Violence Task Force has planned for August 4 called Girls Embracing Maximum Safety (GEMS)," said task force member Sherry Sausaman after accepting the donation from the teens. "The GEMS program is specifically for high school girls entering their junior or senior year in the fall or heading off to college in the fall for the first time."
"We use the money raised to help with the costs of this program since it is free to those who want to attend," Sausaman said.
The program is a workshop style with four 20-minute sessions of speakers on the following safety topics: internet safety, emotional safety including coping with homesickness at college, heavy school schedules and making healthy decisions, sexual safety when Dr. Lisa Hatcher will have a frank discussion about sexually transmitted diseases, personal safety, during which time Living Arts will be teaching some self defense maneuvers.
Additionally, several corporate sponsor vendors such as Verizon Wireless will have a cell phone and texting safety session. "The fun part of the night will be all the fabulous give away door prizes that have been donated," Sausaman said. "Local companies have been generous with fun things that high school girls will enjoy, such as jewelry, massages, food and others."
Participants can register online at www.whitleycountydomesticviolencetaskforce.org or by calling Sherry Sausaman at 609-7086 or Pat Mossburg at 248-1711 if you’d like to register or have questions.
"The timing of the Caring for Kaylin group is tremendous with this event and we are so proud of the terrific kids that our in Whitley County and honored that the task force was chosen by them to support," said Sausaman in summary.