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But the decision wasn’t entirely hers. it took a little nudge from her pastor to get the ball rolling. “I never said anything because I figured it was just between us.” Ramona said of her years of silence about the abuse. She said her ex-husband would not only subject her to physical abuse, but would also do other horrific things like sleep with a gun, shut off the electricity when she was spending time with their children, and threaten her. He was even abusive to the children. Eventually she and the children got out. Leaving was no easy task. Her opportunity to escape the situation came mixed with personal sadness. A friend and fellow church member passed away and Ramona, who did not have a driver’s license, needed a ride to the funeral. Her husband offered, but on the day of the service he was under the influence of pills. “I don’t know how many he took, he must have taken a lot because he started acting funny,” Ramona said. When they arrived at her church the police were called and Ramona’s husband was transported to the hospital under detention because he had weapons in his car. He threatened whoever was involved in turning him in. Ramona’s pastor urged her to take the children and leave while he was in the hospital. “At first I was debating because I loved him,” she said. “I didn’t want him to die. I wanted to be there if anything happened.” She knew she had to protect herself and her children. So she took her pastor’s advice and went to a nearby domestic violence shelter. They stayed there for two weeks and were moved to Sheltering Wings. It was here that her life started over. For Ramona and the children, it wasn’t a complete and instant relief. The abuse was over but adjusting to life in a shelter took some time. “It was hard because you have to give up everything you have,” Ramona stated. “The kids took it hard. They thought I should get out, but it was hard going from being out in the country with so much space, to living in a shelter.” She credits the staff at Sheltering Wings and old friends from her community with helping to make the transition easier. Her oldest daughter finished her last semester of high school. With the help of tutors and friends from back home. The high school principal there, along with local law enforcement added extra security measures in order for her to participate in the commencement ceremony. Ramona and her children spent about two and a half years at Sheltering Wings. A time that changed her life forever. At first, she did have limited contact with her ex-husband. “Every time I talked to him it would bring me down more,” she said. “The last time I talked to him, I told him I didn’t want him to hurt me or the kids anymore.”With that chapter closed, Ramona vowed to change her future. With her children adjusted and doing well she decided it was time for a little self-improvement. “When I came to the shelter I didn’t have a driver’s license,” Ramona said. Not only did she get a license while in the shelter, she also went from having an eighth grade education to completing her GED with honors. She also learned how to use a computer and is Microsoft certified. And she’s not finished, she plans to continue her education in computer technology and become an administrative assistant. Ramona and her two youngest children have since moved into their own apartment and she works as an advocate at Sheltering Wings. She has discovered that her passion lies in helping others and she wants to continue to work in a shelter and help other women like herself. ,“They just gave me so much.” Ramona says that generosity, along with the influence of her case manager have had huge impacts on her life. She is no longer a victim. If you know of someone or are that someone who needs help please call 317-745-1496 or send a confidential email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Download a copy of this newsletter to learn more.
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S5 Register
Courtyard Brick Paver
Leave a lasting mark with this commemorative 4" x 8" brick in the courtyard of Sheltering Wings. You may include an optional 2-line message (limit of 19 characters* per line) by entering your message below.
Simply click "DONATE" when you are ready to submit your order and finalize payment through Google Checkout.
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| Cost: $100 |
Courtyard Brick Paver
Leave a lasting mark with this commemorative 8" x 8" brick in the courtyard of Sheltering Wings. You may include an optional 4-line message (limit of 19 characters* per line) by entering your message below.
Simply click "DONATE" when you are ready to submit your order and finalize payment through Google Checkout.
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| Cost: $250 |
Long Term Giving
If you would like to establish an ongoing monthly contribution, simply select the appropriate amount and click the donation link below:
Monthly Subscription for the Annual Fund
If you would like to establish an ongoing monthly contribution, simply select the appropriate amount and click the donation link below:
Login To Site Here
Patron Sponsor ($1,000)
• Company name included in evening’s program
• Company name listed on signage at event
• 1 complimentary table for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 8 people
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
Program Sponsor ($2,000)
• Company name included on back cover of the evening’s program
• Company name listed on signage at event
• Verbal recognition at event in front of 700+ participants
• 1 complimentary table for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 8 people
• 4” engraved crystal presented at the dinner for you to proudly display at your company
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
• Invitation to give a presentation about your company at a Brownsburg Sertoma Club meeting
Centerpiece Sponsor ($3,000)
• Company name included in evening’s program
• Company name listed on signage at event
• Verbal recognition at event in front of 700+ participants
• 1 complimentary table for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 8 people
• 4” engraved crystal presented at the dinner for you to proudly display at your company
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
• Company name and logo displayed with each centerpiece
• Invitation to give a presentation about your company at a Brownsburg Sertoma Club meeting
Presenting Sponsor ($5,000)
• Company name and logo printed on half page of evening’s program
• Company name on signage near stage
• Verbal recognition at event in front of 700+ participants
• Company name on website 2nd quarter of 2011
• 1 complimentary table for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 8 people
• 8” engraved crystal presented at the dinner for you to proudly display at your company
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
• Special invitation for 8 people to receive a private tour of our shelter to meet women and children
• Invitation to speak to Sheltering Wings’ Board of Directors
• Invitation to give a presentation about your company at a Brownsburg Sertoma Club meeting
Title Sponsor ($10,000)
• Company name and logo on full page of evening’s program
• Company name and logo showcased at main stage
• Invitation to address audience night of dinner dance
• Verbal recognition at event in front of 700+ participants
• Logo/link on website 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2011
• 2 complimentary tables for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 16 people
• 10” engraved crystal presented at the dinner for you to proudly display at your company
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
• Company name included in all media coverage, including press releases related to event
• Special invitation for 16 people to receive a private tour of our shelter, where you will meet women and children who are recipients of our services and staff who provide services
• Invitation to speak at Sheltering Wings’ (invite only) annual meeting and to the Board of Directors
• Invitation to give a presentation about your company at a Brownsburg Sertoma Club meeting
• Company name and logo included in Sheltering Wings’ Spring 2011 newsletter reaching 12,000 readers
Private Reception Sponsor ($4,000) – Exclusive
• Company name and logo included in evening’s program
• Company name and logo placed at entryway to the reception
• Verbal recognition at event in front of 700+ participants
• 1 complimentary table for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 8 people
• 6” engraved crystal presented at the dinner for you to proudly display at your company
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
• Invitation to address participants of private reception
• Cocktail napkins with company logo at reception
• Special invitation for 8 people to receive a private tour of our shelter
• Invitation to give a presentation about your company at a Brownsburg Sertoma Club meeting
Premier Sponsor ($7,500) - Exclusive
• Each guest to receive a complimentary item containing company logo (item to be determined and coordinated with sponsor)
• Company name and logo printed on half page of evening’s program
• Company name on signage near stage
• Verbal recognition at event in front of 700+ participants
• Company name on website 2nd quarter of 2011
• 1 complimentary table for 8
• Private reception invitation with auction preview for 8 people
• 8” engraved crystal presented at the dinner for you to proudly display at your company
• Engraved paver with company name to be placed in new courtyard of shelter expansion
• Special invitation for 8 people to receive a private tour of our shelter to meet women and children
• Invitation to speak to Sheltering Wings’ Board of Directors
• Invitation to give a presentation about your company at a Brownsburg Sertoma Club meeting
