Kristina Neace will tell you she couldn't have done it alone, but her co-workers will tell you she's too modest.
Neace works for Reindeer Auto Relocation in Zionsville. The company donates to the Peyton Manning Children's hospital and other organizations throughout the year. This holiday season, Neace wanted to do more.
"We set up a website to raise funds. We want to help women and children's shelters in the city," Neace Explained.
Through her co-workers and other online donations to the site, they've raised $900 and gathered gifts as well as basic necessities for women who are victims of domestic violence.
The group is sponsoring four women with children and one single woman through the Julian Center and Beacon of Hope Women's Center in Indianapolis.
Neace grew up in a home where her father was violent toward her mother. She said this cause is close to her heart.
"The best decision my mother ever made was leaving my father. It helped me and my sister grow up to be responsible adults," Neace said. She said that's why she feels a responsibility to help other children.
Terry Moore with Beacon of Hope said the holidays are an especially tough time for women to leave their abusers.
"This is a very sad situation but a true situation. Women do not want to make their escape until after the holidays because they want to keep their family together," Moore said.
When women contact Becaon of Hope the center sets them up with temporary transportation, hotel stays, pet fostering and food.
"Often when they leave they don't have anything, no food, no family. We really rely on the support of the community to help make these women and children's Christmas brighter and we're so thankful to Kristina and the other companies who are helping us," said Moore.
Beacon of Hope opened in 2009 and has helped about 2,098 women and children since then. Next year the center wants to open a temporary housing shelter.
Neace said she and her co-workers want to expand their donations to Dayspring Center for homeless families if they continue to get donations.
Donations can be made to Reindeer Auto Relocation's charitable fund at The Donnar Memorial, 5100 Charles Court, Zionsville, IN 46077. In the subject line reference "shelter" or "PMCH" for the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.
