The Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center was honored on Wednesday for its work helping victims of domestic violence.
The Purple Ribbon Awards honor individuals, shelters, survivors, and the heroes working to help the victims of domestic violence.
The Merryman House took home honors for Dr. Rheanel Tolar as Board Member of the Year, Annual or Impact Reports of the Year, and The PaDucky Derby as the Outstanding Fundraising Event or Campaign
Executive director Dr. Mary Foley said, “The Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center has been providing services to victims of intimate partner crimes for over 40 years. It is hard work, and we are honored to have received these top national honors. Non-profits are a critical part of any community’s overall infrastructure. These awards highlight the excellence of our Board of Directors, under the leadership of Dr. Rheanel Tolar, the accountability we provide to our annual donors via our Annual Report, and to the uniquely fun signature fundraiser of our PaDucky Derby.”
Foley added, "I am continually amazed by the generosity of our community to support the mission of Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. Yet, these awards come from other colleagues in the field who understand the work in a very meaningful way, and that makes this extra special.”
Dr. Tolar, who as an internal medicine physician, helped guide Merryman House through the pandemic, said, “I’ve served on the Board of this wonderful organization since 2019, and I am in my second year as Board Chair. I am humbled to be recognized as a 2022 Purple Ribbon recipient, but consider my role to simply be an overflow of my commitment to the health and wellbeing of our clients and to the greater community. The pandemic added a layer of risk to an already high-risk population. I am grateful to be able to use my training in medicine to assist those affected by domestic violence during this very challenging time, and encourage the community at large to support this non-profit, which is clearly being recognized for its excellence.”
The 8th Annual PaDucky Derby is scheduled for October 22nd at Noble Park. 20,000 rubber ducks will be dumped into Mongomery Lake. Ducks are up for adoption now.
Community Engagement Director, Kayla Myers, said “Anyone can adopt a duck, and give to support our life-saving services. It is a simple way to give to a worthy cause, while also earning your chance to win $2500, $1000, or $500 in cash!”
You can still adopt a duck at https://www.duckrace.com/paducah.
