Charlene Harrell
Special to the Progress
CLAREMORE —
An impressive number of family, co-workers and friends attended a reception honoring Donna Grabow for 20 years of service as Executive Director of Safenet Services. The celebration was hosted by Safenet’s Board of Directors at the Safenet Development Division Office.
In 1997, Grabow was named “Woman of the Year.” She took her motto from 4-H: “Good-better-best never let it rest until the good is better and the better best.”
Her daughter, Esther, wrote in a poem when she was in school, “my mother is my hero because she helps people.” Donna has two daughters, Esther and Andrea.
Safenet Services, formerly Rogers County Community Services, has been in existence since 1991, helping victims of domestic violence. Inside their doors has been a safe place for nearly 2500 abused women and their children.
Opportunities for dreams, hope and dignity are created inside these walls and Grabow and her team of professionals work continuously to help their clients break the cycle of violence in their lives and rise from the ashes.
Statistics in 2009 show that in the shelter 86 people were served and 3,866 shelter nights provided. There were 5,447 calls to the Crisis Line and 1,103 clients were helped with the Outreach Program. More than 13,500 miles were logged in providing transportation for victims.
The current shelter has 12 beds and three baby beds. Grabow and the Safenet board have been working for seven years to raise funds for a much-needed larger facility. Seventeen women and children on average are turned away from the shelter each month. That average increased for June, July and August 2010 to over 50 victims each month.
Some of the annual fundraisers to raise money for the new shelter are Good Morning Roll Call, the Garden Tour, Old Bag Auction, and Festival of Trees.
Safenet Services receives funding from United Way and many individuals and companies that faithfully donate each month. The Second Impression Resale Shops in Claremore and Pryor also help bring in funds. Pryor also has an office to help victims in Mayes County.
Though there are paid employees, the organization could not function without the many volunteers, men and women, that give of their time.
Grabow started an annual recognition program to honor volunteers for their service.
When Donna was selected as BPW Woman of the Year, Special District Judge Joe Smith stated, “You truly do make a difference in the day-to-day lives of those you help.”
