Heide Maglott said she wants to give back to the Domestic Violence Shelter for “saving her life” 20 years ago. The Mansfield resident is hosting a fundraiser to provide a pizza party for the women and children who are currently housed in The Shelter.
Maglott and her husband Craig own Slice’s Pizza and Drive Thru, 919 S. Main St., Mansfield. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month she thought it would be nice to ask her customers and other community members to donate at least $7 to a good cause.
“I am a survivor of domestic violence myself,” she said. “I had two former relationships that were violent and I was actually a resident of the Domestic Violence Shelter here in Mansfield almost 20 years ago. I credit The Shelter with physically saving my life.”
Even though it has been some time since Maglott has needed the services of the Shelter, she said, she not only wanted to give back to the organization but partner with other businesses and community members.
“With it being domestic violence awareness month I just wanted to try to do something for the Shelter because they did help me out,” she said. “It’s been many, many years but now I feel like I’m in a position and I’m in the public a little bit more and I’m getting my business out there and with all the new people I’m encountering, it’s a great way to spread the word and help spread awareness.”
When placing an order, guests can purchase a meal for a Domestic Violence Shelter resident by asking the cashier to include the campaign with their meal. Donations are $7 per meal. Shelter residents will work with the shelter management team and decide a date for their pizza party.
Cash Max Auto Title Loans managers Jennifer Skala and Veronica Stanley were in the pizza shop recently and gladly wanted to participate in the fundraiser. Each manager gave Maglott a $100 check representing their stores in Mansfield and Ontario. Plato’s Closet representatives also donated gift certificates to their Ontario store.
Maglott recalled that she had a pretty tough couple of years while trying to get out of her abusive relationship. She said she lived in four different shelters because her abuser kept finding out where she was staying.
“I just credit the Shelter with saving my life and getting me back on the road to where I am,” she said. “Catholic Charities helped me get my first apartment.”
The Maglotts have been together for 15 years and married for 13, Heidi said. “He is a very nice man. I love him with all of my heart. We have a nice, normal relationship.”
She said she is living her dream of owning a pizza shop. “I’ve always wanted to have my own restaurant and I love pizza. We work together every day. He runs the drive-thru; I run the restaurant.”
Kathy Ezawa, executive director of The Shelter, said she is always excited when a community member reaches out to them to help.
“Usually we get a lot of folks who want to donate groceries and food but not a lot of folks who think of non-traditional things such as a pizza party,” she said. “We are really excited that she thought about us, especially with a pizza party. Everyone loves pizza, right?”
Ezawa said the women at The Shelter are going through a hard time in their lives and a small event such as a pizza party can boost morale among the women and their children.
“A lot of folks who stay here don’t have any extra money for pizza so it’s really great for them, for a moment, to sit back and relax and enjoy a party knowing especially that someone thought about them,” she said.
After all these years, Ezawa said it’s nice that Maglott has not forgotten the help that she received and that she’s trying to pay it forward to help other women.
“I’m just really grateful to Heide for reaching out to us,” she said. “I’m inspired by her gift and her willingness to help the women and children of The Shelter and I’m very grateful.”
Maglott said domestic violence is more prevalent than people realize and shouldn’t judge women who stay in an abusive relationship.
“If you’ve not been in the situation, don’t be too fast to judge,” Maglott said, “because it really wears on you mentally and it affects everything in your life.”
To donate to the pizza party contact Maglott at 419-526-2337 or to donate directly to the Domestic Violence Shelter, call the business office at 419-774-5843.
Twitter: @angelnichole222
“A lot of folks who stay here don’t have any extra money for pizza so it’s really great for them, for a moment, to sit back and relax and enjoy a party knowing especially that someone thought about them,” Heide Maglott said.
