ESCADV Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ESCADV) is celebrating 40 years of serving our community with a 40th Anniversary Celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. on October 7 at the Eastern Shore Community College’s Workforce Development Center.

The event will include a silent auction, a gift basket raffle, beer and wine, heavy appetizers, and a presentation that will include survivors sharing their stories as well as a look at ESCADV’s past and future. Tickets for the event are $75 per person or $100 per couple. Call 757-787-1329 or see our Facebook page for ticket info.

As part of the 40th anniversary festivities, ESCADV is holding a gift basket raffle. The Island Fun basket is packed with gift certificates to Chincoteague businesses and includes a stay at the Refuge Inn. The Shore Things basket has gift certificates and souvenirs from businesses from Parksley to Cape Charles. While the drawing will be at the 40 th Anniversary Celebration on October 7, winners do not need to be present to win. To purchase raffle tickets, stop by the ESCADV office at 12 Hartman Avenue in Onancock, see an ESCADV board member or call 757- 787-1329. Raffle tickets are one for $25 or five for $100.

For 40th Anniversary Celebration sponsorship information, please contact Sarah Barban at [email protected].

ESCADV was founded as an all-volunteer organization in 1983. Originally, board members and volunteers staffed a 24/7 hotline themselves. When funds were available, ESCADV sheltered survivors at the Owl Motel. When funds weren’t available, local churches or board members sheltered survivors. It wasn’t until after the Violence Against Women Act passed Congress in 1994 that the ESCADV was able to employ staff and fund a building. The ESCADV shelter opened in 1996 and a sexual assault program was added in 2016. Annually, ESCADV serves an average of 300 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and shelters an average of 150 people each year. For more information visit www.escadv.org