The story on Boundary County Victim Services (and their soon-to-come Yard Sale and Bake Sale)

June 12, 2015

If you have a mind to pick up some great bargains, or if instead you are looking for some great tasty treats, you will want to be at the Yard Sale and Bake Sale coming up next Friday, June 19, sponsored by Boundary County Victim Services. "The Yard Sale will have a variety of household items and some furniture. Our Bake Sale will feature delicious homemade treats," organizers of the event said. What exactly is Boundary County Victim Services? It is a 501C non-profit organization, managed by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by two knowledgeable, dedicated advocates, and several unsung volunteer heroes. Boundary County Victim Services sponsors a 24 hour crisis hotline, and also helps provide assistance with the legal process for any crime victim. The organization also provides education about domestic violence and teen dating violence, a weekly support group for domestic violence victims (with free child care provided), and a temporary safe shelter for victims and children. Boundary County Victim Services actually began in 1988 as an organization called Alternatives to Domestic Violence, and then combined with Youth Crisis Hotline to form Boundary County Youth Crisis and Domestic Violence Hotline, Inc. That name proved to be too cumbersome and did not include crime victim advocacy. Now, after another change to a simpler name, they are doing business as Boundary County Victim Services. The organization is funded with a grant from the Victims of Crime Act and the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance, but it is required to raise a minimum of 25% of its budget through local fundraising events. That's why they're having next week's amazing Yard Sale and tasty Bake Sale—to which everyone is invited. In past fundraising activities, Bouncary County Victim Services has sold Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee, sponsored a concert by the band Runaway Symphony, had yard sales, and has sponsored raffles for several items. One of their biggest fundraiser of the year is their popular Fall Festival and Fashion Show, held in recent years at the Pearl Theater. This year will be their 12th presentation of this program. To find out more about Boundary County Victim Services, Visit the Victim Advocate office in the Courthouse (downstairs next to Prosecutor’s office), or call the office at 208-267-7334. Anyone can also can join their Facebook page “Boundary County Victim Services,” (Click here to see their Facebook page) https://www.facebook.com/BoundaryCountyVictimServices where they have almost 500 "Likes." And, you can find out more about this organization in a very fun way by attending their Yard Sale and Bake Sale, to be held on Friday, June 19, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., next to the Carquest parking lot on the South Hill in Bonners Ferry.