Tastefully Supporting

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Tastefully Supporting - The Glynn Community Crisis Center and the Safe & Sound Project

Article by Alysia English

Food photos by JD Dickerson, Dickerson Arts

On April 2, A Taste of Glynn will again provide samplings of fabulous local food in the longest-running gourmet event in coastal Georgia. The best-known party at the beach celebrates the outstanding food, entertainment and setting of the Golden Isles. It all takes place from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. The fun begins as local restaurants compete in six different categories: Coastal Flair, International, Comfort Food, Healthy Choice, Desserts, and Tablescapes. After enjoying mouth-watering food, guests then vote for their favorite in the ever-popular People’s Choice award. Treasured by contestants, the individually hand-crafted trophies are highly visible in prior winners’ places of business. In addition to wonderful food, guests will enjoy the talents of local musicians playing live throughout the venue. During the event, a silent auction showcases a delightful array of donations from local shops, businesses and artists.

Now in its 17th year, A Taste of Glynn benefits The Glynn Community Crisis Center which provides shelter, support, and a new beginning for victims of domestic violence. The event raises money to help women, children, and men leave their abusers and start anew. A Taste of Glynn is the organization’s primary fund-raiser, providing financial support for critical services for victims of domestic violence.

In conjunction with this year’s event, the organization is premiering a new outreach program called “Safe and Sound.” This program is a new way for area businesses to help abuse victims reach safety. Dottie Bromley, executive director of The Glynn Community Crisis Center, explained the new program: “Most people understand the word ‘violence’ in the context of a domestic situation or romantic relationship. However, people may not realize that abusers also tend to isolate their victims in order to control them. Imagine being watched 24-hours a day. Not being able to talk to your family or friends. Not being able to call anyone on the phone, and having your phone records monitored if you do call. Any infraction is punished in some way. The fear can be so great that victims become paralyzed. Our new Safe and Sound program provides a safe way for victims to reach our agency undetected by their abuser.”

Regardless of how closely they are controlled, most victims of abuse are able to participate in routine life tasks like going to the grocery, paying bills or running basic errands. The Safe and Sound program hopes to help individuals by making information available in those routine locations. Businesses participating in the program will receive a small Safe and Sound card intended to be posted by the cash register, in a restroom, on the door, or in another visible location. There is no cost to the business to participate. The card identifies the business as part of the Safe and Sound network, provides the agency’s confidential 24-hour emergency number and allows the person to use the business phone to call with no questions asked.

“We are hoping to secure as many participating businesses as possible,” continued Bromley. “Safe and Sound provides a safe and confidential way to reach people who need help to escape domestic violence. Just as important, our business community is sending a message that domestic violence will not be tolerated and that we all stand united in that effort.”  

The first participating businesses to join the Safe and Sound program are Halyards Restaurant and Tramici Neighborhood Italian and Coastal Oral Surgery. We hope that many more will follow as the word about the program gets out.

Dave Snyder, owner and executive chef at Halyards Restaurant and Tramici Neighborhood Italian stated, “Our restaurants serve hundreds of people in a week. Our customers come from everywhere and from all walks of life. You never know when one of those is a person who needs help to escape an abusive situation. The Safe and Sound program allows us to assist in an immediate and discreet way—whether that is letting someone confidentially use the phone to contact The Glynn Community Crisis Center, or quietly calling the police for the person and providing safe haven until police arrive. Our staff is already the level of caring individuals who jump in to help; this program takes it a step further with staff training and specific information about getting them to safety, emergency shelter and support services.”

Dr. Jeffrey O. Capes, DMD, MD, Coastal Oral Surgery sees the Safe and Sound program as a natural extension of the care his office already provides. “As a health care provider, taking care of people is what we do each and every day. We are totally dedicated to that, whether that care is oral surgery or making sure someone is safe. All of it goes together. We are pleased to participate in this program and if we can help even just one person improve their life situation through Safe and Sound, it will be well worth it.”

The Safe and Sound program enhances the outstanding work made possible each year by A Taste of Glynn. People in the community make a difference in a meaningful way through the purchase of event tickets and participation in the silent auction. Anyone can experience domestic violence, and The Glynn Community Crisis Center is the confidential safety net for those who need help. In 2016, the Crisis Center’s programs of Amity House, Hope House, Outreach Advocacy, Community Outreach and Housing Assistance provided shelter, support and new beginnings for survivors of abuse.

If you represent a local business and would like more information on becoming a Safe and Sound Participating Member, please contact Dottie Bromley, Executive Director, The Glynn Community Crisis Center, 912.264.1348.

To attend A Taste of Glynn on April 2, get your tickets today and plan on an evening of fun! On the day of the event, a complimentary shuttle will run continuously and transport guests between parking at Massengale Park and The King and Prince Resort. (Massengale Park is located at 1350 Ocean Blvd, less than 1/3 mile from the event.) Tickets are $45 per person in advance or $60 at the door. Purchase online at atasteofglynn.com or through participating local businesses which are listed on the same website. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call The Glynn Community Crisis Center at 912.264.1348.