It’s February, and that means it’s Jelly Bean Jump Up time! This will be the third year for this fundraiser, and we’re hoping it will be our best yet. Every penny you give goes directly to SafeHouse Center.
Jelly Bean Jump Up is our annual fundraiser to raise money for SafeHouse Center, which offers support to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. The Ann Arbor organization provides free and confidential services, including emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and more, for anyone who lives or works in Washtenaw County.
The name Jelly Bean Jump Up refers to our co-founder Ari Weinzweig’s beloved Corgi, who passed away in 2015. “When Jelly Bean died I wanted to take the sadness and turn it toward something positive,” says Ari. “Something to honor her positive contribution to my life, and really to the life of so many others over the years. Jelly Bean was a very special dog and such a big part of my life for so many years. And SafeHouse is an even more special cause.”
Pets can play a special role in the lives of those suffering domestic violence, too, says Deborah Kern, SafeHouse’s Development Director. “People experiencing the betrayal of domestic violence often seek the comfort and companionship they deserve in their furry family member. Dogs and cats help us relax, provide unconditional love and provide emotional healing,” she says. Sadly, it is also not uncommon for abusers to threaten the well being of beloved pets to control their victims, and it’s estimated that almost half of people attempting to escape abuse will decide to stay because they are afraid of what will happen to their pets if they leave.
When you make a contribution to the Jelly Bean Jump Up fundraiser, you are helping to ease this roadblock because in addition to all their other life-saving services, SafeHouse Center works with local organizations to provide free boarding to pets, so that survivors don’t have to have this added anxiety.
Donations from the Jelly Bean Jump Up fundraiser in February will help keep programs and services like these 100 percent free of charge for all survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. We love this organization, and we believe that the work they do makes our communities safer—everyone deserves to live their life free of fear.
Giving to Jelly Bean Jump U is easy. You’ll find donation boxes for cash and check (please make checks out to SafeHouse Center/Jelly Bean Jump Up) donations in every Zingerman’s business, as well as Probility Physical Therapy, Old National Bank and K9 Clubs. Shop at Plum Market? They’ll round up your purchase at the register throughout February. You can also give to SafeHouse online.
Thanks for helping us honor a great dog and a worthy cause!
This post was written by Valentina Silva and was originally published by our partner, Zingerman’s.
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