Nancy’s Butterfly Fund Announced

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

Exciting news on the way

Last year, Nancy hosted a really fantastic Easter Egg hunt -- even in the cold weather, fun was had by all. We miss her so much every day, but days like this are even more poignant.

However, in the midst of our grief come rays of sunlight -- some very exciting things are happening on the organization front, which may help bring meaning to this terrible tragedy. Stay tuned...

Cary Police team with Interact

I saw this in the paper today: Cary Police team with Interact

If there can be any good to come from this terrible tragedy, I hope it will be that abused partners will get out of bad situations, and that there will be support systems adequate to allow them to feel they can leave without being forced into hiding or poverty.

Divorce is much better than Death.

I am continually impressed with the Cary Police Department. They live their work.

Searching on Sunday

A few of us are planning to join the search for Kelly Currin Morris on Sunday. There is also a prayer vigil scheduled for Saturday night, see the details below. She is a young mother of two who has been missing for six months. I can only imagine how devastating this is for her family.

When: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Where: Butner Park
Central Avenue
Butner, North Carolina
Time: 7:00pm
Please join family & friends gathering at the flagpole

http://www.kellycurrinmorris.com/Kelly_is_Missing.html

Officer of the year

I saw a wonderful article in the Cary News today - Officer of the year is low-key leader. While I haven't interacted directly with Det. Daniels, one section of the article certainly resonated (quoted below).  Congratulations, Det. Daniels, and thank you!

And he touted Daniels’ leadership and mentoring of two young detectives who assisted Daniels in investigating three homicides in 2008.

“Both of these detectives have grown professionally because of working with Detective Daniels and have developed a deep and profound respect for him that words alone can’t measure,” Byrd said in his nomination. “This is due in part to his unassuming approach to individuals that wants those working with him to achieve their maximum potential. His approach works because he doesn’t seek credit or recognition for himself but because he is always focused on the greater good.”

It was Nancy's eldest daughter's birthday this week. Happy Birthday!

Adopt a Highway

Someone or some group has adopted a section of Dillard Drive starting at Walnut Street and heading towards Piney Plains "in memory of Nancy Cooper".  I would love it if whoever has done this will take the opportunity to let me know personally or by posting a comment on this blog when the cleanup days are.  It's a wonderful memorial, especially since Nancy actually used to walk or roller-blade that stretch of road back when they first moved here...back when there weren't even any sidewalks!  The Coopers did not own a car at first and then had only one for a year, so Nancy would walk or rollerblade with a backpack on her back to do errands, grocery shop or to go see a movie at Crossroads.

My understanding from this website is that cleanups are performed four times a year. Count me in!

Furnishings

It hurt to see the furnishings hauled away today.

I remember when the house was empty back in 2001.  I remember the funny red sofas from the store in Canada.  I remember the dining room which was perfect for turning cartwheels in.  I remember the refinishing of the old kitchen table.  I remember sending back the sofas when the wrong ones arrived.  I remember the months-long deliberations on the fabric for the chairs in the dining room, and then the further wait for the table to be shipped from the artisan in Canada, and finally the inaugural dinner.  I remember the similar deliberations about the wing-back chair, and then some regrets on the final choice.  I remember how beautiful the key table was, and how one was not allowed to actually put keys on it for fear of scratches...and then I remember the day the front door flew open and scratched the table.

I know they are just things, but Nancy's esthetic and consideration and love of design informed these things.  I'm so sad that the girls will not have the joy of passing along the heirloom-quality items to their children, along with the stories.

Don't expect many postings here, but please do keep the Memorial Fund in mind, for the girls.  They have had so much taken away.