Women of Alle Kiski Engaging collecting donations for women in need - TribLIVE

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When most people have a headache, they go into a medicine cabinet and open a bottle of pain reliever.

But what if you don’t have a medicine cabinet or a bottle of pain reliever?

For women escaping domestic violence or an abusive relationship, they may only have the clothes on their backs and few necessities.

“A small bottle of Tylenol can have a major impact on these women’s lives because it is one less thing they have to worry about,” said Laurie Johns, assistant executive director of Helping All Victims in Need (HAVIN), a domestic violence shelter in Kittanning. “It’s a huge relief for not only the physical headache but the emotional pain.”

That’s why Women of Alle Kiski Engaging (WAKE) decided to collect over-the-counter medications — from Tylenol to cough syrup — for HAVIN and the Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center in Tarentum through Nov. 15.

Other needed donations include new pajamas for women, boys and girls, new women’s undergarments, $10 gift cards for gasoline, cutting boards, pots and pans, utensils, dishes, baking sheets, Tupperware and other kitchen items.

Locations accepting donations include River Forest Country Club in Allegheny Township, WestArm Physical Therapy in Lower Burrell, Heritage Hospice in New Kensington and Blackburn’s Pharmacy in Tarentum.

A full list can be found on WAKE’s Facebook page.

WAKE is an endeavor that works in conjunction with the Alle Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce, an organization that helps area businesses grow through various events, training and educational opportunities. The partnership aims to advance women’s leadership in the local economy through networking, professional development, and community engagement, says CiCi Broxie, chairwoman of WAKE and an Alle Kiski Strong Chamber board member.

WAKE has decided to put its speaker series on hold until at least March because of the pandemicy.

“We are always looking for ways to help our community,” Broxie said. “We, as area businesswomen, want to empower other women to succeed. We know there are women who are struggling and with the holidays coming up, the need will be even greater.”

The group has placed boxes where people can drop off items.

Broxie said they plan to take the collections to each organization before Thanksgiving.

“These donations can help alleviate so much for people who are in the middle of making life-changing decisions,” Johns said. “People often come here with little to nothing. They might not have diapers for their baby or other basic life necessities. Some people are embarrassed to ask for these kinds of things. They often don’t have money for the things we take for granted like an over-the-counter headache medicine, so they do without.”

She said the need is even more this year because of covid-19 and the challenging economy.

“The pandemic is really impacting the supply we have,” Johns said. “So this will really help us and the HOPE Center. This support is amazing.”

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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