Tim Gunn of “Project Runway” and Laura Leighton of “Melrose Place” teamed up with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) and Marshalls on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica to take a stand during October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Together, via this event, they launched an integrated program to raise money and awareness for the prevention of domestic violence.
Leighton and Gunn were there alongside domestic violence survivors and special celebrity guests to unveil a symbolic exhibit honoring all those who take a stand against domestic violence.
Tim Gunn and Laura Leighton (far left) join survivors under the symbolic arches
The exhibit of six unique arches featured information about the cause, the organizations who have worked so courageously at putting an end to domestic violence, the names of the many organizations who have worked tirelessly to put an end to domestic violence and celebrity audio messages of support from Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rosie Perez, Martina McBride, Vivica Fox, Robin Givens, Chaka Khan, Michael Bolton and others.
Take a Stand, Get a Pair
The first 100 people who took a stand against domestic violence by walking through the exhibit received a free pair of shoes from Marshalls. The exhibit remained at the Third Street Promenade until October 2nd for the public, and then is traveling to Union Square in New York City for another viewing on October 8th and 9th.
Shop ‘til it Stops
This event kicked off the national “Shop ‘Til it Stops” in-store program where for every pair of shoes purchased at Marshalls during October 1-15th, one dollar – up to $150,000 – will be donated to the NDVH to help put an end to domestic violence. This also marks the 18th year that the off-price retailer has raised money and awareness for the cause.
Domestic Violence Statistics
One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and more than 600 families a day reach out for help to the National Domestic Violence Hotline to escape from domestic violence. The Hotline recently answered its two millionth call. It’s time to put an end to domestic violence before it begins.
Marshalls and the Shoe MegaShop
Marshalls is one of the nation’s leading off-price family apparel and home fashion retailers with over 800 stores spanning 42 states and Puerto Rico. Marshalls offers a wide selection of current season, top quality, brand name fashions for the entire family as well as giftware and domestics for the home at prices 20-60% less than department stores, specialty boutiques and catalogs.
The Marshalls Shoe MegaShop is 5,000 square feet of shoe-lovers heaven, featuring top brands and the latest styles found in department and specialty stores, but for up to 60 percent less. With an easy to shop layout featuring a variety of styles and sizes there is a perfect match for any shoe lover.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline was established by Congress in 1996 and is funded by Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds. The Hotline is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, information and referral to victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, friends and families. The Hotline answers a variety of calls and is a resource for domestic violence advocates government officials, law enforcement agencies and the general public.
The Hotline serves as the only domestic violence hotline in the nation with access to more than 5,000 shelters and domestic violence programs across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Advocates receive approximately 21,000 calls each month. The Hotline is toll-free, confidential and anonymous. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in more than 170 different languages through interpreter services, with a TTY line available for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing.
I thank you both along with so many others who have found the issue of violence aganist women no socioty can be considered civilized if it permit such a thing. i am a minister and have been a victim of violence before i was converted i was angry and have been violent toward a female person i believe women have rights and i try to respect that. i pray that we all participate in stopping and preventing this awful act. someone as attractive as Mrs. leighton should be a shame of themselves i for one will that excuse it except on the t.v. screen. P.S. LIFETIME SHOULD CONTACT YOU FOR A ROLE DEALING WITH THE SUBJECT MR. GUNN IS A TREASURE GOD BLESS.