Community donations help mothers in need after experiencing domestic violence

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Community donations are helping get mothers and mothers-to-be back on their feet after dealing with trauma.

Marcia Keough said she uses her experience with domestic violence to help others.

“I have been in a situation like this before, and it would have been very helpful to have some kind of things like this,” Keough explained.

She is a member of “Movers for Moms,” a national campaign led by moving company Two Men and a Truck.

Over the last month, members at the Loves Park location collected donations ranging from toothbrushes to diapers and other toiletries to give to women in shelters.

The group dropped off the first round of donations to Remedies Renewing Center in Rockford, directly to mothers impacted by domestic violence.

“A lot of women, they leave without anything, so they have to start all over again,” Keough explained. “Their children have to start all over again. So, it’s just like comfort for them. We have people calling us to want to be donation locations for this cause.”

Sarah Forsell is the Marketing Specialist for the moving company. She said the campaign reached Stephenson County for the first time.

“The Madonna Renewal Center is our Freeport shelter recipient,” Forsell said. “They’re a center for mothers and mothers-to-be in need of assistance. We’ve partnered with local businesses, schools, churches and we’re able to collect thousands of donations. Without the community’s help, none of this would have been possible. We just never know how to thank them.”

Keough said she encourages people to give what they can, when they can.

“People get up and leave in the middle of the night, and they just leave everything,” Keough said. “Whatever they can donate, instead of putting it out in the trash, you know, because your kids get older, you don’t want it anymore. Donate it to someone who can use it.”

The group will bring donations to Madonna on Thursday, May 8th.

To learn more about Two Men and a Truck’s Movers for Moms, visit their website.