MANSFIELD, Ohio –There are 30 families currently benefiting from services provided by The Domestic Violence Shelter Inc, according to Executive Director Katherine Ezawa – a number she thinks is rather large. Johnny’s Mattress and Furniture Superstore in Mansfield will help the shelter fight domestic violence in the area with an event that began Friday.
On Friday afternoon, Johnny’s Mattress and Furniture Superstore hosted a press conference to kick off the weekend-long, sleepless event: the second annual “Great Sleep-Out Against Domestic Violence.” Nine teams signed up for the sleep-out, four more than last year.
The objective: to raise as much money as possible before a person on each team falls into a deep slumber on one of the mattresses provided by Johnny’s. The last person awake wins and ends the fundraiser.
According to Store Manager Bob Loyd, last year’s winner, the Richland County Sheriff Department, stayed awake from Thursday evening, until 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, a total of 34 hours. The event raised $18,000 last year, 100 percent of which went directly to The Domestic Violence Shelter Inc.
The Mansfield Police Department won in fundraising. According to Chief Ken Coontz, the department raised over $6,000.
This year, the fundraiser’s goal is to raise $25,000, a target described as “very realistic.” In addition to a space for participants of the sleep-out, Johnny’s parking lot will serve as a drop-off point for canned food items and dried goods for the shelter’s food pantry.
The Domestic Violence Shelter is a nonprofit organization, so they rely on fundraisers to maintain operation said Ezawa. But all the money stays local, said Johnny’s Mattress and Furniture Superstore Owner John Matthes.
“They are one of the few [nonprofit organizations] that aren’t top heavy with big salaries. They treat local people; the money raised and used stays in Richland County,” said Matthes. And Matthes stressed the importance of the shelter’s work in Richland County.
“They are treating way more people every year,” said Matthes.
Ezawa said the shelter sees about a 15 to 20 percent increase in families helped each year. She attributes that to awareness that the shelter exists in Richland County. “Most places it’s really hard to reach out,” said Ezawa.
MPD Domestic Violence Investigator Matt Loughman said domestic violence cases are on the rise.
“I’ve been here about two and a half years and it seems like each year we see more and more cases. But we have an amazing shelter and they do so much for victims – not just give them a bed to sleep on,” said Loughman.
Those additional services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, youth advocacy programs, outreach programs, a sexual response team, family and legal advocacy, among others.
To bolster excitement for the event, there will also be a dessert auction, three food vendors and a car show in Johnny’s Mattress and Furniture Superstore’s parking lot.
Each team designated one person to stay awake. The Sheriff’s Department chose Sergeant Jeff Fellure. He said his strategy is brain stimulation.
“I’ve got an Xbox, movies, Wi-Fi for my iPhone and sheer determination from the department,” said Fellure. “No energy drinks, just pure, organic sugars for me.”
The police department’s non-sleeper, Sergeant Patrick Williams, is optimistic in his performance, although his strategy differs from Fellure’s.
“I’ve got coffee in me right now, and I’m saving the hard stuff for later,” said Williams, indicating Monster energy drinks.
The nine teams participating in the event include the Mansfield Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Mansfield City Schools Key Club, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, the Domestic Violence Shelter, Richland County Children Services, the Committee to Elect Gary Bishop and OhioHealth MedCentral Forensic Department.
The sleep-out began Friday evening at 5 p.m. and will continue until only one participant remains awake.
