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  Winter Warmth is a community concept born from the awareness that too many women are beaten and raped daily, over one billion as I write this and the horror that I felt when I heard these these statistics. But it was also conceived in the idea that we as a community can come together, create hope and positive energy to build something bigger and better for ourselves, our sisters, our mothers and our daughters. Violence is a global epidemic, but we can change it, one person and one community at a time. Join me in this cause. Winter Warmth is a place for our communities to step out of the cold realities and into the warmth of community and positivity. A place of hope and change where I believe that a world of non-violence is possible if we each make the commitment.

How it Came to Be...

Winter Warmth was conceived after a weekend visit to Omega where I attended a women's leadership conference. I was astounded and inspired by the women who were in attendance. They came from around the world to address the issues facing women today. As I struggled with what path to take in the second half of my life, I realized that so many women still struggle for basic human rights. Women all around the world, women here at home. In fact, one in three women will be beaten and raped in her lifetime. One billion women are subjected to violence daily right now as I write this. I couldn't help but be horrified and driven to action, but what action?

Then Eve Ensler spoke and told us about her project called One Billion Rising. It is a global movement to bring awareness to the issue of violence directed to women. She wanted to create a day where people from around the world could rise up together in protest to say no more. No more will we accept the status quo, the cultures of violence, the silence and fear that is perpetuated amongst the perpetrators of violence. It is the hope that one billion individuals will come together and dance, sing and put positive vibrations into the world. I wanted to be a part of this global movement.

For the past 24 years, my family has been involved with a foundation, Cerrone Memorial Foundation, which has been committed to helping students and the communities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties. It was my thought that we could somehow utilize the knowledge of fundraising that we have gained over the years  to encourage volunteers to help and combine these skills to create an event in support of The Family Counseling Center, which directly serves those who are impacted by domestic violence. Thus, Winter Warmth was born. I wanted to create an evening of expression; an evening where people could come together, see beautiful artwork, amazing dancers, hear great music and support a wonderful cause. This is one of many events I hope to create across many communities in partnership with organizations who also feel a passion for this cause.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact me.

Becky Freeman becky@cerrones.com.