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.”
Features
Related Photos
-
Donna Grabow was honored with a reception celebrating her 20 years with Safenet Services.
-
Donna Grabow enjoys a bouquet of flowers from her daughters Esther and Andrea, congratulating her for 20 years as executive director of Safenet Services.
Grabow marks 20 years with Safenet
- Features
-
-
Students experience real etiquette
Northeast Technology Center students are getting lessons from The Etiquette School of Oklahoma.
-
Nurses clown around for National Clown Week
Laura Neal is a registered nurse making a decent living at the DaVita Claremore Dialysis Clinic — but really, she wants to be a clown.
-
Imprisoned parents leave pain
By the end of her mother’s 69-year prison sentence, the girl will have stacked gifts from missed holidays in the empty room at home for nearly a lifetime.
-
Band playing tonight at Claremore Lake as test run
Ken and Bethany McDermed envision the kind of arts and music festival for Claremore that Jenks has at its Riverwalk Crossing — booths, food and music in the backdrop of natural water.
-
Stuff the Bus: Claremore Police hosting back to school supply drive
Claremore police officers are hoping to give students in need a hand with supplies this school year with the upcoming “Stuff the Bus” campaign.
-
Claremore museum curator featured on new cable series
As curator for the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum, Jason Schubert is no stranger to things that shoot.
-
Still a June bride: The Progress’ 1961 featured bride-to-be celebrating golden wedding anniversary
It was 50 years ago Saturday that a young Darlene Marlin was featured as the Claremore Progress’ “June Bride.”
-
Claremore mom spearheading Autism, Asperger support group
It may be Father’s Day, but it’s been a busy couple of weeks for one special Rogers County mother.
-
'All we Have': Widow thankful courthouse eternal flame to be saved
Mertyle Walker says the eternal flame outside the Rogers County Courthouse is all she has of her husband, whose body was never found after his plane crashed near China in World War II.
-
Hero’s Last Wish Honored: Gun finally donated to J. M. Davis Museum
J.M. Davis never got to see the cap and ball mid-eighteenth century French pistol which became the last gun added to his historic collection. He never saw it because even though it was donated by intent in 1944, the gun only came into the possession of the J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum this year.
- More Features Headlines
-
Students experience real etiquette
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
