Shelter capital campaign announced

Money has begun to pour in for the $990 thousand project to open and maintain Oconee County’s first shelter for the abused, but the public’s help is needed. A pledge of $100 thousand from Seneca residents Bob and Fran Hansen is contingent on Safe Harbor raising a like amount between now and September 1. And Chrissy Adams, the circuit solicitor, surprised this morning’s news conference by handing a $5 thousand check from her office to Becky Callaham, Safe Harbor’s executive director. The news conference served as a way to challenge the community to raise what’s needed and began with a dramatic pause when Callaham said, “You know why we’re here.” And, with that Callaham referred to women and children, who’ve lost their lives at the hands of the men who supposedly loved them. Two state lawmakers and a U-S congressman were among those who articulated the problem of violence in the home place and were followed by community residents who issued the challenge to all Oconeeans to get involved with their pocketbooks.