When Ann Corn of Roslyn first attended the Hope Against Domestic Violence fundraiser last year to support her friends involved with the organization, she was drawn by the group’s mission to help women and children affected by domestic violence.
Corn, who owns Shag in Roslyn with Randi Butwin of Old Westbury, said they have used the business to help raise funds for the organization and the Safe Center L.I. in Bethpage. The pair will be honored at the organization’s annual fundraiser next week for their generosity to the group fiscally and personally.
“It’s an absolute honor to be honored,” Corn said. “We’ve been in business a little over 11 years, and one thing I’m personally proud of is we do give so much money to different charities, not just Hope, but also Sunrise Day Camp and Play for Pink and many others. When I retire, the one thing I’ll take with me is giving back is really one of the most important aspects of owning this store and helping other people.”
Corn and Butwin will be honored at Rock Out against Domestic Violence at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Space at Westbury. Wonderous Stories will perform at the benefit concert, and tickets are available online or at the door.
Proceeds will benefit UJA Federation’s initiatives to fight poverty and domestic violence.
Andi Black, one of the founders and co-chairs of the event, said she has been friends with Corn and Butwin for years and the pair has never said no to using their shop, which sells women’s clothes, as a fundraising tool for the organization.
Black said she and Suzanne Gould founded the organization a few years ago because the topic of domestic violence is taboo and often overlooked.
“We have so many charities that are health-related and people can relate to because ‘my sister had that,’ but this is a topic where no one admits ‘my sister was abused,'” Black said.
Black said the goal of the fundraiser is to place a small Hope Center in Jewish community centers across Long Island starting with a liaison and on-site therapist.
Black said many people see domestic violence as a spousal issue only, but the trauma often extends to children in the home as well.
“This is about kids, too, because they’re affected by whatever’s going on around them,” Black said. “Even though they may not be abused, there is a place at the Safe Center where they can talk to someone about what’s happening to their friend or their mom or whoever is involved.”
During the event, a video will be shown with victims who have received help from Safe Center L.I., including two minority women and a white male victim, Corn said, to show that domestic violence can cross racial, gender and financial boundaries.
“It’s very prevalent in the news right now, and so I hate to say it’s a good thing for us because it raises awareness to it and makes it something we can talk about now, so we’re hoping because it’s coming to light — because this happens whether it’s in the news or not — it’s a great thing for charities like us to help bring the awareness home,” Black said.
