Crusading against domestic violence
Aug. 10—MOSES LAKE — If you see folks wearing purple at the Moses Lake Roundup this year, it's not just a fashion statement. They're manning up.
For the last several years, the Moses Lake Roundup has partnered with New Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services in Moses Lake in the Man Up Crusade, both to raise awareness of domestic violence and to raise funds to actually do something about it.
This year's Man Up silent auction took place Aug. 8 at the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours event, held at the rodeo arena at the Grant County Fairgrounds. It raised a good chunk of money, according to New Hope staffer Maria Hallatt.
"We haven't had everybody pick all of their things up yet," Hallatt said. "But, I believe we were at about $2,300 (Wednesday) morning between things that were already paid for, and then cash as well."
When everything is counted up, Hallatt said, the auction proceeds will probably come out to $2,500-$2,600.
Tickets were also on sale at the silent auction for the Man Up raffle, which will be drawn Saturday night at the rodeo. All of the items sold at the auction, as well as raffle prizes, are donated by locals, Hallatt said. Maurice's donated gift cards for clothing, she said, and the Moses Lake Roundup and the Seattle Mariners donated tickets. Gard Public House in Royal City and Casa Herradura in Moses Lake also kicked in, as did Live Nation, which operates the Gorge Amphitheatre.
"So we really had a good mixture this year of donors," Hallatt said.
Certain items seem to be especially popular, she said.
"(They) surprise us every year even though we kind of know it (is coming)," she said. "Rue & Sage, they do flowers once a week for a month and deliver them to the person, and that's always incredibly bid on. People love that one."
Bud Clary also raised a good deal of money with donated "Clary Cares," Hallatt added. Those consist of oil changes, tire rotations and car washes, according to Bud Clary's website.
The money goes to cover unexpected and incidental expenses New Hope encounters, Hallatt said.
"Because we're grant funded, a lot of that money has very specific things that we're allowed to use it for. And if we run out of money for certain things, this kind of helps us fill in that gap for those domestic violence survivors who might not have the resources otherwise.
She gave the example of someone trying to flee a domestic violence situation, but who runs into unexpected obstacles.
"Their car's broken down, or needs new tires. You know, that isn't one of those things that neatly fits inside of our grants. So, we might be able to take some of this money so that they could flee to a place of safety."
The Man Up Crusade is the brainchild of Canyon County, Idaho, Sheriff Kieran Donahue, who initiated the program shortly after he was elected in 2012, according to the Man Up website. As a law enforcement officer, Donahue was sadly familiar with the devastating effects domestic violence can have on individuals, families and communities. The Moses Lake Roundup has participated in it since at least 2016, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives.
Joel Martin may be reached at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.
Reaching out to Hope:
To support New Hope and Kids Hope, or to request their assistance, contact them during their business hours or send a donation to them.
New Hope/Kids Hope
311 W. Third Ave.
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509-764-8402
Office open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
24/7 Hotline: 888-560-6027
Amazon Wish List: https://bit.ly/SPRTHOPE
