The Anna Miller Circle of Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 has resumed packing welcome kits for The Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties. Six Anna Miller volunteers and one Elk volunteer met April 4 to pack 100 adult and 50 children's welcome kits. The Haven is a shelter for women who have been abused as well as for their children. It is also a shelter for teens and survivors of rape. The kits contain soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, moisturizer and deodorant. The children's kits also contain a small toy and hand sanitizer. A welcome kit is given to each woman and child when they arrive at The Haven safe house. Eighty full-size toiletries were donated as well. The packing also contained 12 birthday kits which include a cake mix, frosting and candles to be used by mothers to bake a cake for their child who has a birthday while at the shelter. The day’s donations totaled $1,800.
Pictured are volunteers Chris Getchell, president; Vicki Mercandente, co-chair of The Haven Project; Marc Cunningham, lodge member; Mary Ann Cerney; Judith Polson; and Judi McCarroll. Taking the picture is Suzanne Cunningham, co-chair of The Haven Project.