Lauren Bailey Lauren Bailey

2021 Thrive Drive: Turning Awareness into Action for the ION Center

Friends,

It’s been a year of ups and downs as we all fight to recover from the pandemic, but we still have so much to be thankful for. We started the Thrive Drive last year as a way to shift from the DV/IPV awareness activities of October into action—something concrete and meaningful we can do right now to make a difference for survivors.

As you’re probably aware, the lockdowns of 2020 were dangerous—and even deadly—for many whose homes were not a safe place. Instead of just hanging our heads in sadness, let’s support and celebrate the accomplishment of those who were able to break free from the cycle of violence and run toward help.

This year, we’re supporting Covington’s ION Center for Violence Prevention. Founded in 1976, the ION Center (known formerly as the Rape Crisis Center of Northern Kentucky and then the Women’s Crisis Center) provides services for survivors of gender- and power-based personal violence. The region they serve includes Northern Kentucky, Buffalo Trace, and Greater Cincinnati.

So what can you do to help? We’ll be collecting the following everyday supplies and holiday items between now and Monday, December 10. Any items you donate must be new and in the original package. We cannot accept used products. There’s no need to wrap the gifts; the ION Center staff will match gifts with kids and wrap them for us.

Special Holiday Requested Items

  • Hair dryers (FULFILLED! :-) )

  • Curling irons

  • Straightening irons

  • Craft kits

  • Art supplies

  • Disney Frozen toys

  • Paw Patrol toys

  • Remote control cars

General Shelter Items

  • Twin sheets and pillow cases

  • Twin blankets

  • Pillows

  • Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths

  • Paper products (tissues, toilet paper, paper towels)

  • Umbrellas

  • Craft items

  • Powder laundry detergent

  • Hair care (brushes, combs, hair ties, hair spray, etc.)

  • Socks and underwear (all sizes, all ages, all genders)

  • Bras/sports bras

  • Baby wipes

  • Diapers (all sizes)

  • Feminine hygiene products

  • Non-perishable food items

  • Individually wrapped snacks

  • Juice boxes

  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, lotion, etc.)

  • Liquid hand soap

  • Household cleaning supplies (bleach, disinfectant spray, bathroom cleaner, etc.)

  • Gift cards (Kroger, Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc.)

  • Gas cards

As a thank you for helping us to give the ION Center residents a happier holiday, everyone who donates will be entered into a raffle for a Thrive gift basket (including merch and a 5-class pass!) and a Lumin Massage gift certificate.

You can drop your donations off at Thrive, contact us for a porch pickup (Cinci/NKY only), or Venmo us cash (with a note that it’s for the drive) and we’ll do the shopping for you.

Thank you so much!

—Lindsey & Lauren

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