TD Banknorth supports shelter

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — TD Banknorth in Houlton preserved its Christmas tradition of supporting the Battered Women’s Project through a silent auction with proceeds going to support the Houlton shelter’s activities. John Tribou, branch manager, said “we auctioned off various items — some TD Banknorth logo items, some donations that our employees brought in, donations that even bank patrons brought in, as well, to donate to this auction.”
A HELPING HAND — Houlton Shelter Coordinator for the Battered Women’s Project, Pat Reardon, right, accepts a donation from TD Banknorth Branch Manager John Tribou, and Teller Kristie Fitzpatrick. Bank patrons and employees raised $200 through a silent auction of donated bank logo items and handicrafts during the Christmas season.
    Teller Kristie Fitzpatrick said about a month ahead of time, employees get together to start planning and  making some handcrafted items for the auction. Ironically, Fitzpatrick knit a white hat and scarf set with multi-colored threads which her husband liked so much, he outbid everyone. He then presented her with the set she had donated. Tribou and Fitzpatrick said there is a good deal of enthusiasm for the event that’s been going on for nearly two decades.
    Pat Reardon, Houlton shelter coordinator for the Battered Women’s Project, recently accepted a $200 check representing proceeds from the auction, saying it’s the community’s way of stepping in to make the season a little bit brighter for victims.
    Reardon says due to the serious nature of domestic violence, many times women fleeing dangerous situations “don’t have anything with them except for their clothes or the children’s clothes. So, it’s unfortunate. It’s hard for them to go back to get things from the home.”
    If someone is aware of domestic violence, she says, safety is the first priority. If the situation is immediate, Reardon says, call 9-1-1. In other instances, victims can call the 24-hour hotline for assistance at (800) 439-2323.
    Reardon says there is no typical demographic and domestic violence crosses all age, racial and economic lines. In Maine, domestic assault as reported to police occurs every 96 minutes according to a public safety crime report in 2005. And, according to a 2008 report by the Maine Center for Disease Control, “every year over 7,000 Maine women are physically or sexually assaulted by an intimate partner and over half of them (57%) are injured as a result of violence.”
    Reardon says although the shelter does not have much storage for household items or clothing donations, they do welcome consumables like diapers, bedding and non-perishable food items.