OFHA seeking donations for families

     The Organization for Human Awareness (OFHA) on South Campus is accepting donations for the Women’s Haven of Tarrant County until Friday, Dec. 15.
     The women and their families need any household items such as clothing, bath towels, sheets, shampoo, toothpaste, diapers or even hotel samples.
     The Women’s Haven of Tarrant County, despite its name, functions as an emergency shelter for male and female victims of domestic violence, including children.
     The Haven also offers a follow-up program to help its clients get back on their feet.
     Berry Good Buys, a thrift store owned by the Haven, provides any materials needed.
     “They [the clients] get vouchers for whatever they need free of charge,” an employee of Berry Good Buys said.
     According to Patty White, OFHA vice president, “These abused women come into the haven with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”
     “The organization also accepts used items; this is not something that you have to go buy things for. You can simply clean out your closet,” White said.
     OFHA has worked for more than a decade to bring attention to issues such as spousal abuse and people with disabilities on campus and in the community.
     Anyone who would like to help this cause can take donations to the disability support services office (DSS) in SUB 122 or deliver donations to the store.
     Berry Good Buys accepts donations year round at 1701 W. Berry Street.
     “At the actual shelter, we need mostly toiletries, but at the store we need anything,” the employee said.