Two nonprofit organizations will be receiving an end-of-the-year gift courtesy of 100 local residents. Safety Net for Abused Persons (S.N.A.P.) and New Start Center will each be given $5,000 collected from a drawing for BCS national championship tickets donated by local legislatures.

“This $5,000 will help tremendously in keeping our doors open this fiscal year,” said Sis Broussard, executive director of New Start Center. “Every time renewel comes around there is always a rise in cost as you well know the cost of living goes up and not down.”

S.N.A.P. also said they feel the money will be very helpful.

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“It helps a lot,” said Carol Mumm, executive director of S.N.A.P. “It covers items we have to provide, such as up-keep and cleaning supplies.”

Both organizations cater to abused women and children. Any grants received must be used for specific purposes, such as electricity and phone bills. Insurance, expansion and basic goods, however, are not covered.

“The board at New Start is in the preliminary stages of looking to build a new shelter as we have out-grown this building,” Broussard said.

“Of course this will take some time to find funding and being a high poverty parish does not help our situation. This donation will make it easier to pay our insurances this fiscal year.” 

S.N.A.P. is also trying to expand its facility.

“We need to expand desperately,” Mumm said. “We own property on both sides of us.”

Donations are accepted by organizations by special arrangements.

“We have a Web site with several donation options,” Broussard said. “Also on the Website there is all our services and information about New Start Center’s history and much more information for the public to read about abuse and how it affects an individual.”

To make a donation to S.N.A.P. interesred parties can contact 367-7627. To make a donation to New Start Center, visit its Web site at www.newstartcenter.org or call 394-8559.

“Louisiana is the second most lethal state in domestic abuse,” Mumm said.

“Without the support of the community we couldn’t educate safety, education, and a life free of violence to the women in Iberia Parish.”

The winner of the BCS national championship tickets will be announced Tuesday following the Sugar Bowl game between Hawaii and Georgia. If you’d like to see who took chances on the football pool and what numbers they got, go to www.iberianet.com and look under the Special Features for Football Pool - Georgia vs. Hawaii.