DPD presents $5,000 to Pee Dee Coalition
Pictured here at the donation ceremony are (left to right) Kathy Palmer, Pamela Prince, Darlington Police Chief Danny Watson, Pee Dee Coalition Darlington County Chapter board member Alma L. Harris, board president Pat Segars and board member Ellen Bethea.
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
The Darlington Police Department held a ceremony Friday, July 30, to present a check for $5,000 to representatives of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault. The money was drawn from the City of Darlington Victim’s Assistance Fund, and DPD Chief Danny Watson said that while securing the money involved a significant amount of effort and protocol, it’s worth the work to help such a noble cause.
“We’re very happy to be able to help the Pee Dee Coalition in their work, because I believe that every society, every civilization, should be judged by the way they treat women, children, and the elderly,” Watson said.
“We are so grateful for this donation because it helps us to re-establish our presence in the community of Darlington. We are so grateful to Danny and the police department for doing this for us. It helps us because we’re trying to hard to all of the victims everywhere and this is going to be a big help,” said Pamela Prince, Darlington County coordinator and advocate with Pee Dee Coalition.
“One of our biggest concerns is trying to get a victim advocate down here, full time or part time, to make sure no one is left out,” said Prince. “That’s one of the biggest things we’re looking at, to be able to do more training and provide more victim’s services for everyone.”
Darlington County Pee Dee Coalition board member Kathy Palmer added that the Coalition has high hopes for the 4th Annual Breaking Free event, a 5K / 15K walk-run scheduled for October 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, starting at 1021 S. Ebenezer Road in Florence. This event aims to raise awareness of Coalition programs, and all proceeds to go to help operate the Emergency Safe Shelter in Florence.
“Those funds will go to support the more than 138,000 Safe Nights we’ve been able to provide for family members, and serving over 6,800 people – women and their children. It’s wonderful that since 1989, our Safe House has been able to do that,” said Palmer.
Breaking Free is a certified event, timed by Carolina Running Company. Entry fees for the 5K are $25 in advance and $30 on race day; registration for the 15K is $30 in advance and $40 on race day. To register online, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/SC/Florence/PeeDeeCoalition5K15KBreakingFreeRun
Organized in 1986, the Pee Dee Coalition is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to reducing sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse. To learn more, visit them online at www.peedeecoalition.org
