Bethpage nonprofit’s Holiday Gift Card drive to benefit survivors of domestic violence

The Safe Center has launched its annual Holiday Gift Card drive to provide support to Long Islanders escaping domestic violence and other forms of abuse. 

Gift cards, in denominations of $25 and above, can be used by parents and other family members taking care of young children impacted by domestic abuse and other forms of interpersonal violence to give them the dignified experience of purchasing their child’s gift themselves. 

“Gift cards are the easiest way for us to provide essential items for people who have been uprooted from home environments and may be starting over from scratch,” said Joshua Hanson, executive director of The Safe Center. “Whether parents and caregivers want to purchase a present for a child or some other essential item, we want them to begin to reclaim their dignity and choice that may have been taken from them by their abuser. A gift card can be a small purchase, but it carries an enormous benefit to the recipient.” 

The Bethpage-based organization recommends gift cards to Target and Walmart since they can be used in person. Amazon gift cards are discouraged because survivors typically don’t have a reliable street address for delivery of packages. 

Gift cards can also be purchased on a donor’s behalf. Donations can be made either online at https://gcld.co/Rg4WXXY, or via check made out to The Safe Center Holiday Gift Card Drive, 15 Grumman Road West Bethpage, NY 11714. Donations are tax deductible. 

In the past year, The Safe Center has responded to more than 6,000 hotline calls and assisted nearly 4,000 survivors impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and child abuse on Long Island. More than 27,000 people have attended educational training seminars raising awareness on how to recognize, respond to and prevent future incidents of abuse.

To learn more about The Safe Center, visit their website at www.tscli.org.