April 20, 2009
For Immediate Release
CARY, NC - Friends of Cary murder victim Nancy Cooper announce the creation of Nancy’s Butterfly Fund, a fund that will provide financial assistance to women and their children leaving abusive relationships. Nancy’s Butterfly Fund will be managed by Interact, a renowned local nonprofit agency that provides safety, support and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Organizers say their goal is to minimize the financial obstacles that may prevent women from leaving violent unsafe homes. The fund will provide financial assistance for individuals and families participating in Interact’s programs and services. Specifically, the assistance fund may help with apartment and utility deposits, childcare, education, food, transportation and other basic financial needs and services .
“In the days immediately following Nancy's death, a butterfly, both large and vivid, seemed to be a constant guest in our neighborhood and it came to symbolize our departed friend. We have selected the butterfly symbol to memorialize, honor Nancy and to support victims whose lives are impacted by dysfunctional domestic violence relationships,” said Garry Rentz, Nancy Cooper’s father.
The inaugural event to raise money for Nancy’s Butterfly Fund will be held on June 13, 2009 at Life Time Fitness in Cary, North Carolina. Cooper, an avid runner, was a member of the club. The fundraiser will include a silent auction, live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. It will give everyone who attends a chance to support the cause while having fun, something Cooper would have enjoyed.
Information will be released soon about how to get tickets to the upcoming fundraiser. To donate, visit Interact and select "Nancy's Butterfly Fund" from the drop-down list.
Any businesses that would like to donate goods and services are asked to contact any of the advisory board members.
ABOUT INTERACT:
Interact is a private, nonprofit United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. Interact has recently opened the Family Safety and Empowerment Center in Raleigh, which brings together nine other community agencies to provide wrap-around services for victims and survivors of violence and abuse. The agency provides two 24-hour crisis lines, group and individual counseling, bilingual counseling, specialized children’s counseling, case management, court and hospital advocacy, professional training, and a full curriculum of violence prevention in the Wake County schools. Interact also operates Wake County’s only confidential residential program for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Visit Interact at http://www.interactofwake.org/.
Please continue to reference this site for details, or contact any of the advisory board members listed below:
Hannah Prichard
Susan Crook
Jessica Adam
Diana Duncan
butterflyfund@gmail.com
3 comments:
What fantastic news! What a wonderful way to honor Nancy. Congratulations on getting this started, I am sure you have all worked hard to start this fund. Many women and children will benefit from it. I'm certain Nancy is watching you all from above and is proud of the bond that you all remain to have :-)
This is a wonder cause. I did not know Nancy but have know so many others that have been abused in some sort of way. I was wondering if you would mind me posting a link to your blog on my blog. my blog site is www.melissasmithphotography.blogspot.com I have tons of women visit my site and it's just another good way to get the word out. Please email me at smith_photography2006@hotmail.com
I'm sorry, I think I might have missed something. I've been following this tragedy ever since it started and I cannot find out *anywhere* how exactly it has been established that Nancy was a "victim of domestic violence"? Seriously. Can someone please point this out to me. A police report? A medical report. A court document of some kind. Anything at all would be most helpful. Thank you.
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