Sabra Sanctuary is doing several things in and throughout Selma and Dallas County in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. Throughout the month, the organization is collecting donations towards their cause of raising awareness and prevention from domestic violence.

“Cents for SABRA” boxes have been placed in area businesses to collect the donations.

Renee Callens, executive director of SABRA Sanctuary, said the funds will benefit the SABRA Sanctuary facilities as well as victims directly.

“This money is going towards shelter services to help buy the clients things they need while they’re in the shelters,” she said. “Some of them may need transportation that the grants do not cover. They may need a bus ticket for them to either go to a relative’s house for safety or transfer to another shelter.”

The shelter provides many services to victims by providing them with shelter, food and safety.

The organization even teaches people about the risks and effects of domestic violence.

In addition to “Cents for SABRA”, the organization is also passing out cards with a domestic violence crisis number and a purple ribbon attached.

“We’re trying to get [domestic violence] numbers to decrease rather than increase,” she said. “We’re trying to raise awareness. We’ve had clients that were suffering from domestic violence and didn’t even realize, because they thought that’s just how life is supposed to be.”

Callens said their hope is that by doing this simple act it sheds more light on domestic violence and its effects.

The cards are being passed out to business owners on Broad Street and to first responders to wear during the month.