Jackson woman sends yard sale profits to police, shelter

Lorie Peats has decided to do an encore and this time she means to spread the proceeds outside of her hometown of Jackson.

After the May 6 tornado leveled parts of Jackson last year, Peats raised $900 for the Jackson fire and police departments by having a yard sale fund raiser, selling her own items and those donated by 15 local families at a total of five yard sales. This year, Peats decided to expand her efforts, incorporating donations from 32 families. After three sales she's already raised $1,600, and she'll now try to meet her $2,000 goal with a half-price sale this Thursday through Saturday at her residence at 213 Russell St. in Jackson.

This year the money will go west to the Cape Girardeau Police Department and two Cape Girar-deau organizations: The Safe House for Women and the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence.

'Above and beyond'

"When the tornado hit here, the Cape police really went above and beyond the mutual assistance agreement," Peats said. To honor that extra commitment, Peats decided to try and return the favor by donating money from doing something she enjoyed anyway. In her talks with Cape Girardeau police chief Steve Strong, he mentioned a couple of other causes that would be able to use her help.

"We're thrilled that she's picked us," said Allison Leonard, director of The Safe House For Women.

The Safe House is a state and federal grant-funded 24-hour refuge for women and their dependents fleeing dangerous situations in their homes. Leonard said that while the grant money helps keep the doors open, much of what they do there relies on donations.

"These women leave their homes with just the clothes on their backs," Leonard said. The Safe House provides shelter, bedding, clothing and food.

The Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence seeks to help those affected by sexual trauma, especially children, through intervention and education. The network is also funded largely through donations, supplemented by United Way funds and some state money.

More than the money, Leonard said she's glad that Peats' efforts are raising awareness for what the Safe House and the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence offer.

"A lot of people know about abuse," Leonard said. "A lot of people don't want to think about it." Peats "is trying to get other people involved."

trehagen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137