LEXINGTON, NE – If you have been noticing mini purple pumpkins at local businesses in the Dawson and Gosper County area, that is the Purple Pumpkin Project, rolled out during the month of October by Sheltering Hands of Lexington.
Sheltering Hands, a private non-profit agency that provides services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in the Dawson and Gosper County area is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month with their Purple Pumpkin Project.
Each mini pumpkin has a QR code that you can scan to learn more about Sheltering Hands, the services they provide and enter for a prize drawing that will take place at the end of the month.
Executive Director Melanie Gomez talks about how they were able to get the project together.
The Purple Pumpkin Project isn’t the only initiative Sheltering Hands has going on in the month of October. Gomez lists more ways that local businesses are showing their support.
To close out the month, they will be hosting a Safe and Spooky Trunk-or-Treat at their location, 1001 N Washington in Lexington, on Tuesday, Oct. 27th, from 5-8pm.
As we approach the one-year mark of the announcement that Tyson Foods would be closing their Lexington beef plant that employed nearly 3,200 people, we asked Sheltering Hands what they have been seeing as far as domestic violence numbers in the area. Gomez says there has been an alarming increase in the number of survivors who have reached out for help.
Gomez gives a breakdown of those numbers.
Gomez says resources, for example: the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska or Lexington Ministerial Association, are stretched thin helping support former Tyson employees on top of the usual day-to-day clients they support.
Fortunately, Sheltering Hands announced today that they were the recipients of a Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant.
Gomez says the grant is the sum of $20,000 in unrestricted funds.
Gomez says this is the first time their agency has received this grant (of the almost 50 years they have been in Dawson County). A minimum of one $20,000 grant is awarded per state each year.
Gomez suspects the striking increase in victim support contacts they have made since the Tyson Foods closure played a role in Sheltering Hands receiving the grant.
Requirements to receive this grant include operating a physical shelter that houses female survivors of domestic violence, a 501(c)(3) organization, in operation longer than 5 years, and at least one year removed from receiving a MKAF grant.
Sheltering Hands provides a wide variety of services for survivors:
- Bilingual Advocacy
- 24 hour Crisis Line in English
- Linea de Crisis en Español – Monday-Friday 9am -5pm
- Emergency shelter
- Safety planning
- Legal advocacy
- Criminal justice support
- Medical advocacy
- Protection order assistance
- Emergency financial aid
- Emergency transportation
- Support groups
- Emotional support.
- Crisis intervention
All services are free and completely confidential.
They also have their Purple Door Thrift Store that supports survivors in the community. The thrift store is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 4pm.
If you need help call the Sheltering Hands crisis line at 308-324-3040. Or, to learn more about their organization and the services they provide go to their website, shelteringhands.net.
To donate to the Purple Door Thrift Store, ring the doorbell located at The Purple Door entrance, and a staff member will assist you. They accept clean clothing, shoes, home decor, small household items, and accessories.
Sheltering Hands RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FROM MARY KAY ASH FOUNDATION
Mary Kay Ash Foundation Awards Over $1 Million in Grants to 51 Domestic Violence Shelters Across the US providing critical programs and services
Lexington, NE (October 15, 2026) – In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Mary Kay Ash Foundation® announced today it is awarding over $1 million in grants to 51 domestic violence shelters across the country. Sheltering Hands has received a $20,000 unrestricted grant to support local survivors of domestic violence in Dawson and Gosper Counties, Nebraska. This year’s grant contribution brings the Foundation’s total investment in its shelter grant program to over $57 million.
The Mary Kay Ash Foundation was established in 1996 with the overarching purpose of supporting issues impacting women. In 2000, the Foundation expanded to include ending domestic violence as part of its mission. The Foundation is committed to funding the life-saving work of women’s shelters, and the annual shelter grant program has helped finance critical needs including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and legal aid. All these resources support women and children as they seek refuge and relief on their journey to an abuse-free life. This year, more than 300 organizations applied for the Mary Kay Ash Foundation shelter grants.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, more than 72,000 adult and child victims receive domestic violence services across the United States in just one day. Unfortunately, in the same period, more than 11,000 requests for services are unmet due to a lack of resources.
Sheltering Hands is proud to have been awarded a grant to help support shelter services for survivors of domestic violence in Dawson and Gosper Counties. Sheltering Hands provides free, confidential, trauma-informed services to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and stalking. Over the past year, the number of survivors reaching out to Sheltering Hands for help has increased by 50% compared to the same period the previous year, which shows the growing need for support. As families face rising financial instability, housing challenges, and barriers to securing safe, stable living arrangements, access to shelter and supportive services is more critical than ever.
“We are incredibly thankful to the Mary Kay Ash Foundation for the generous support and for selecting our agency to receive this award. They are truly committed to helping survivors find safety and support. This funding will help us continue providing safe shelter, advocacy, and essential support to survivors in our rural community, particularly as the needs of those we serve continue to grow. We hope that we’re enriching survivors’ lives by helping them find their voice, their strength, and their freedom.” Melanie Gomez, Executive Director
About the Mary Kay Ash Foundation®
Guided by Mary Kay Ash’s dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation® raises and distributes funds to end domestic violence and invest in breakthrough cancer research to find cures for women-related cancers. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed more than $98 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer, donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayashfoundation.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
