"Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary assists families victimized by domestic violence...<br /> <br />    A number of families victimized by domestic violence will receive some essential services, such as food, thanks to a donation by the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary club.<br /> <br />    The Rotary, which strives to help those less fortunate, donated $1,100 worth of gift cards to the Crisis Center of South Suburbia.<br /> <br />    ""Each year, the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club provides assistance to local organizations, in addition to our international efforts such as polio eradication. We are extremely proud of our efforts to support the Crisis Center, knowing that we are helping people right here in Tinley Park,"" commented Karen Wegrzyn, President of the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary Club.<br /> <br />    The Rotary club, which includes business leaders, educators and clergy from the Tinley Park and Frankfort area, sold poinsettias during the holidays to raise funds for the Crisis Center.<br /> <br />    Proceeds from the poinsettia sale were used to purchase gift cards to Costco, a wholesale membership warehouse that sells everything from food to personal hygiene items. The warehouse kicked in some additional assistance by donating diapers, talking Elmo dolls, two free membership cards and a $50 gift card of its own.<br /> <br />    ""Your donation will help feed 40 people for 3½  months,"" Edward Vega, the crisis center's executive director, told Rotarians as he accepted their $1,100 worth of gift cards Thursday (Jan. 29).  ""That is what your time and investment means.""<br /> <br />    The Crisis Center is the only non-profit community organization in the south suburbs that provides emergency shelter and other essential services to individuals and families victimized by domestic violence.<br /> <br />    Vega estimates the shelter helps between 30,000 and 40,000 people each year, providing everything from counseling and court advocacy to family case management and emergency short-term shelter.<br />   <br />    The Crisis Center can house up to 35 women and children for up to 60 days, said Vega. He added the organization depends on private donations to fund half of its $2 million budget each year.<br /> <br />    ""We are very, very grateful (for your help),"" he told the Tinley Park-Frankfort Rotary."
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