(April, 2009, Kingston, New York) – An “unveiling” reception was held today at the Women’s Abuse Shelter run by Family Domestic Violence Services of Ulster County. The shelter’s children’s playroom and living room have undergone major renovations thanks to money raised at the 2008 Carve For a Cause. Clients and staff of Family Domestic Violence Services attended along with Carve For a Cause committee members and event sponsors.

Despite challenging economic times, the community came out strong in support of the 2008 Carve For a Cause event. $24,000 was raised in support of Family Domestic Violence Services of Ulster County. Carve For a Cause, more than doubled their 2008 goal of $10,000.

The shelter renovations were coordinated by event founder, Marianne Murray, and included freshly painted rooms, beautiful donated artwork, light fixtures, furniture, flat screen TV/DVD, new toys, books and computer games for the children, window treatments, rugs, blankets, pillows, and even a sky mural painted in the children’s playroom.

“The entire process of working with Carve For a Cause on these renovations has exceeded our expectations. The transformations to these rooms, has drawn great praise from the clients we serve,” said Kathy Moretti, Program Director.

It is the hope of Carve For a Cause that these much needed renovations will help support and enhance the mission of Family Domestic Violence Services which is to stop the cycle of violence by providing crisis intervention, emergency shelter, advocacy, treatment and prevention.

“If our work here has helped just one woman begin to heal and find a way to begin again, we would be deeply satisfied,” said Founder, Marianne Murray.

Carve For a Cause is a unique pumpkin carving festival created to celebrate the bounty of the season, while raising money and awareness for diverse, local non-profit organizations in Ulster County.

Carve for a Cause was founded just two years ago by Marianne Murray and has raised over $40,000 to date. The event takes place on Ms. Murray’s property, the 3^rd Saturday in October, with over 350 community members attending.

Local sponsors included Wallkill View Farm, Seakill Custom Homes, High Falls Mercantile, Perfect Computer Solutions, Empire State Bank, Bank of America, Orange Regional Medical Center, Hannaford’s, Affordable Housing Concepts, Cornwall Builders, Vantage Construction, and many other private families and individuals.

The first year’s recipient of Carve For a Cause was St. John Bosco Child and Family Services.  St. John Bosco is dedicated to improving the lives of foster care children with special needs. With homes in Walden, New Paltz and Wallkill, St. John Bosco provides a safe haven for foster care children coming from local families in crisis. In 2007, Carve For a Cause raised $15,000 to help Executive Director, Renee Fillette, purchase warm blankets, comforters, pillows, pajamas and bedroom furniture for the children they serve.  Additionally, St. John Bosco was able to replace and repair the roof of their girl’s home in Walden. For more information, contact Renee Fillette, Executive Director at 845-895-1398.

For more information about the work of Carve For a Cause or to find out how you can get involved in this year’s event,  click here. For more information about Family Domestic Violence Services go to www.familydomesticviolence.org or contact Kathy Moretti at 845-331-7080, ext. 127.