Volunteer of the Month: Deanah Baker

Deanah Baker, SVP-GMM, Apparel at Walmart, has been volunteering for the NWA Women’s Shelter as an active member of the Board of Directors since early 2016. She currently serves on the Fresh StART committee and, along with Megan Crozier, she will be one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of this year’s Fresh StART event being held on October 14. Deanah explains why this cause is important to her,

My husband was in education for 25+ years and his passion was in getting to know his students and their personal stories.  He has so many examples of brave young people who struggled in their home life due to various circumstances, including abuse in the home.  While Northwest Arkansas is an amazing community with so much to offer, the statistic remains that 1 in 5 people are victims of domestic violence.  My goal is to see all of our NWA neighbors thriving; not living their lives in fear or feeling helpless and alone in changing their situation.  Our strong NWA community can come alongside the Northwest Arkansas Womens Shelter to give victims of domestic violence safety, hope and support for a new beginning.

Deanah has used her skills and her position on the board over the past year to help move the NWA Women’s Shelter out of its financial crisis and begin moving toward sustainability. As a part of these efforts, Deanah hosted a private fundraising party this spring and has raised more than $22,000 in 2017 for programs and services provided through NWAWS.

You can meet Deanah at Fresh StART or look for other ways to get connected with NWAWS by visiting our volunteer page.

 

For the second year in a row, Regina and Burke Gower combined their fitness and cycling interests through organizing a ride to benefit the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter (NWAWS): Bikes, Brews and No Abuse. This year, the ride was around Lake Atalanta in Rogers, and involved 30 riders. Also partnering that day were three breweries and one cidery, all of which committed a percentage of their sales to benefit NWAWS: Bike Rack Brewing Co, Core, New Province, and Black Apple Crossing.

Domestic abuse is a personal issue for Regina.

“After my sister Natalie was killed by her husband, I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to help other victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse and violence isn’t just about being physically hit. It includes emotional abuse and financial abuse, too. My sister was never hit, but we saw abuse in other forms.

I first became involved with a domestic violence shelter in Muskogee where I was living at the time my sister died. When I moved to NWA, I reached out to the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter to see how I could help. What is most important to me is to make sure other families don’t go through the pain and grief my family went through. If I can help one victim of abuse or that family member by giving them the resources they need, or the courage, then all my work to raise awareness is worth it.”

Regina and Burke at Champions In Heels 2016

Regina and Burke have been volunteers with NWAWS since 2011. Regina also serves on planning committees for Champions on Wheels, a family-focused outdoor bicycling event, and Silent Witness, an awareness event honoring the memories of Arkansas homicide victims who lost their lives due to domestic violence.

Bikes, Brews, and No Abuse raised almost $1300. This equates to providing 1 victim of violence 2 weeks of safety from her abuser.

Thank you, Regina and Burke, for being the voice for those who have lost theirs due to domestic abuse!

If you want to combine your talents and interests with a fundraiser for NWAWS, you can contact Merritt Royal Weeks, mroyal@nwaws.og, or read more here.

Want to be a champion like Regina and Burke? Apply to volunteer today!