On Friday, Glenn visited Hope's Door, a Texas-based shelter that offers provides intervention and prevention services to families impacted by domestic violence, as well as education programs to ensure the community is able to respond. He wrote about the experience and how people could help this organization.
Read Glenn's story below:
I just left Hopes Door women's shelter. I am unable to express all that I feeling right now. Tania and I were asked to be the honorary chair at their yearly fundraising gala. I tried to talk them out of it, but I am glad they stuck to their guns.As I walked up to what looks like a regular ranch home on a simple tree lined street I began to notice the security cameras. Once inside, the luggage of the moms who escaped from the clutches of an abuser and grabbed all they could and packed one small suitcase for her and the kids, were sitting bedside room after room. The simple toys on the uneven floors spoke volumes.
About 10 minutes in the house I began to see my mother, her abuser, his fists of rage in my face. The frightened 12 year old boy that stood foolishly to protect his mother.
Like the boy last year who when asked what he wanted for Christmas replied, "-gas card". Why a gas card? " Because my mom has to get to work and she is so frightened she won't have enough gas."
A boy and his mom.
I walked through those halls and had a hard time holding it together. I looked at the blankets, sheets, new pjs, underwear and socks that hopes door were so grateful to donors for, and is wondered. Where have I been?
My kids get gifts and open the next before even looking what they just received. I put my hands in my pocket and felt the rub of my expensive watch and the weight of my nice shirt and wondered, how many lives could I have changed already had I cared to personalize?
The tickets are sold out already but they would like to raise $300k. They are offering raffle tickets for a new Mercedes at $100 per pop. See their Facebook page for more details.
Good people. Good cause.