Local restoration company teams up with jewelry retailer to raise funds for Gemma’s Angels and Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) teams up with Kendra Scott to raise funds for local nonprofits dedicated to ending domestic violence. The Kendra Gives Back Party takes place on Dec. 20 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Kendra Scott, Mizner Park at 411 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. The event is open to the public. The Kendra Gives Back Party features a lively shopping event with drinks and light appetizers and an array of holiday gifts for purchase. 20 percent of all sale proceeds will benefit the Gemma’s Angels Foundation Boca Raton and Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA). Orders will be accepted onsite at the Kendra Gives Back Party and via phone during the event. Please call 561-430-2520 to place your order. VCGFL is matching all donations.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 4 women (24.3 percent) and 1 in 7 men (13.8 percent) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. On average, 24 people per minute are victims of physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.
Founded in 2014, the Gemma’s Angels Foundation Boca Raton is dedicated to raising awareness and ending domestic violence in honor of Gemma Burlakoff and her fight to save her children. In 2013, Burlakoff was the victim in a violent domestic dispute and murdered by her husband, the father of her children. The Gemma’s Angels Foundation aims to end domestic violence and works with local and national organizations to raise awareness throughout the year.
“It’s so important to continuously raise awareness about domestic violence. It can affect anyone. We also have January Stalking Awareness Month just around the corner and it’s another very important initiative that is often connected with domestic violence,” says Sandra Lawson, director of operations at Venture Construction Group of Florida, co-founder of Gemma’s Angels, sister of Gemma Burlakoff.
AVDA’s mission is to promote violence-free relationships and social change by offering alternative choices to end violence and domestic abuse. AVDA provides a state-certified domestic violence center that offers a comprehensive array of services for victims of domestic violence including a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency and transitional housing, advocacy, counseling and support to help them live violence-free and self-sufficient lives. AVDA also works throughout the community to educate and engage people of all ages in the commitment to prevent violence. AVDA is accredited for Excellence in Nonprofit Management and was one of the first agencies in Palm Beach County to receive accreditation from Nonprofits First.
“The Kendra Scott fundraiser is a great event for a great cause!” says Michael DiPerna, community outreach coordinator, Venture Construction Group of Florida.
January marks the fifteenth annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking. Stalking impacts over 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men in the United States. NSAM addresses the issue of stalking as its own form of violence as well as a crime that frequently predicts and co-occurs with physical and sexual assault.
About Venture Construction Group of Florida
Founded in 1998, Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) is an award-winning leader in construction, restoration, renovations, roofing, storm damage repairs, and 24/7 emergency services throughout Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahamas and the Caribbean. Specializing in industrial/ commercial projects, VCGFL assists property managers, condominium boards, homeowner associations, association boards, hotels and business complexes with general contractor services, specialty construction, historical restoration, water and flood mitigation, and property repairs due to fire, flood, water, wind and hurricanes. VCGFL holds leading industry awards including the Coatings Pro Contractor Award, Pro Remodeler Forty Under 40 Award, Qualified Remodeler Top 500 Remodelers Award, Qualified Remodeler Master Design Award, Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association S.T.A.R. Spotlight Trophy for the Advancement of Roofing Awards in Sustainability and Community Service. CEO Stephen Shanton is a proud member of the prestigious Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). Entrepreneur Magazine hails “YEC Consists of Some of the Most Well-Respected Minds in Entrepreneurship.” With offices in Boca Raton, Ft. Myers, Naples, Panama City Beach, Orlando, Stuart, Tampa, San Juan, and Nassau, VCGFL is committed to operational excellence and exceptional customer service. VCGFL takes care of the details every step of the way including roofing, siding, windows, drywall, flooring, paint, gutters to rebuilding properties after major storm events from hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms. VCGFL carries the industry’s leading accreditations and is an exclusive certified National Storm Damage Center Preferred Contractor, Windstorm Insurance Network WIND Certified Umpire®, WIND Certified Appraiser®, WIND Certified Fellow®, Certified Member of the United Association of Storm Restoration Contractors, Platinum Preferred Certified Contractor with the National Insurance Restoration Council. VCGFL is a proud member of Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Association (IAUA), Restoration Industry Association (RIA), Property Liability and Resource Bureau (PLRB), Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Industry Members Association (EIMA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). VCGFL is a registered U.S. Federal Government Contractor and holds leading certifications including Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Mule-Hide Legacy Contractor, Certified CertainTeed Contractor and Duro-Last Certified Contractor status. VCGFL credentials have been vetted and screened through independent third-party Global Risk Management Solutions. For more information call 866-459-8351 or visit us online at www.VCGFL.com.
About Kendra Scott
Kendra Scott is a leading fashion accessories brand inspired by the personal experiences, travel and sense of community of its CEO and Designer, Kendra Scott. A true omni-channel business, Kendra Scott is sold at premiere retailers including Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Von Maur and over 600 specialty boutiques worldwide, the brand boasts a thriving web business and over 50 stand alone retail stores across the United States. The brand is well-known for its comprehensive suite of elegantly designed jewelry pieces as well as lifestyle categories such as beauty, home goods and fine jewelry. The brand also offers the Kendra Scott Color Bar™, an innovative jewelry customization experience available in all Kendra Scott stores as well as www.KendraScott.com.
About Gemma’s Angels Foundation
Headquartered in Boca Raton, the Gemma’s Angels Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness to end domestic violence in honor of Gemma Burlakoff’s fight to save her three daughters. Gemma was brutally murdered in front of her children in a domestic dispute in 2013. Gemma successfully saved her children’s lives and lost her life in doing so. Gemma fought heroically to protect her children. Unfortunately, no financial support was left behind to provide and care for her daughters. Gemma’s Angels Foundation was launched in 2014 and thrives on the support of businesses, fundraisers and major awareness events. Anyone who needs help please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. Florida residents in need of help may contact the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119.
About Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)
AVDA has been a safe haven for thousands of victims of domestic abuse. Adults and children are provided 24-hour, 7 days a week emergency shelter, crisis counseling, food, clothing, individual and group counseling services. AVDA promotes violence-free relationships and social change by offering alternative choices to end violence and domestic abuse. Learn more at www.AVDAOnline.org.
Media Inquiries:
Angela Delmedico
Elev8 Consulting Group
Ph: 386.243.5388
Em: angela@elev8cg.com
Web: www.elev8cg.com
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