Lincoln businesses band together to raise money for victims of domestic violence

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – October is domestic violence awareness Month, and at this time every year the Shop to Stop Family Violence event lets Lincoln offer its support.

The event raises money to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other types of abuse through Voices of Hope.

The organization also works to educate the community on those topics and provides a 24-hour crisis line.

From now until Oct. 27, participating stores will give 2% of their sales to Voices of Hope.

One of those businesses is Omt! Divine Resale, a women’s consignment boutique in South Lincoln.

Sarah Gauger, who has run the store with her sister since 1979, said the store allows people to bring in clothes they want to sell and get a percentage of the sales.

She said they’ve been participating in Shop to Stop Family Violence since it first started.

“I think it’s great because all the local businesses can do it together,” Gauger said. “And it kind of brings us all together in support of Voices of Hope which does amazing work in our community and it’s much needed.”

Voices of Hope says in an average year, it answers over 8,000 crisis calls from over 2,500 different people.

Gauger said as long as domestic violence is prevalent in the community, there will always be a need for more support.

“Although I’m blessed not to have experienced domestic violence, I know people that have,” she said. “I know people that work in that field and how hard they work, so anything we can do to help them.”

Gauger said the fundraiser has become a long-standing tradition, and every year she sees more support for the cause.

Participating businesses include:

• A Novel Idea Bookstore
• Francie & Finch Bookshop
• Gomez Art Supply
• Indigo Bridge
• Bella Skin Care and Massage Therapy
• Meier’s Cork ‘n Bottle
• Omt! Divine Resale
• Wax Buffalo
• Paint Yourself Silly
• Paper Kite
• Rachel’s Boutique
• Rise N Shine Boutique
• Scarlet Raven Tattoo
• Curio
• Ten Thousand Villages
• The Mill Coffee
• Tsuru Clothing
• Uniform Connection