St. Augustine, Fla. (March 14, 2017) – Betty Griffin Center (BGC) is now accepting submissions from St. Johns County Students for the 2018 A Day Without Violence Art & Poetry Contest.

This project is open to all St. Johns County students in kindergarten through 12th grade, whether they attend public school, private school or are home-schooled. The number of entries vary each year, depending on the number of students that participate. Last year, there were more than 1,200 entries.

“It takes a community to end domestic abuse and it can begin with just one day without violence,” said BGC Executive Director Joyce Mahr. “Students from all over St. Johns County are asked to submit original artwork or poetry reflecting a day without violence as part of a countywide awareness campaign.”

Prizes are awarded for the winners, who are selected by a group of independent artists:

• 1st Place — $100.00
• 2nd Place — $50.00
• 11 honorable mentions will be presented $25.00 each

All 13 winning artists and 12 poets will have their art or poem reproduced in the Betty Griffin Center ‘A Day Without Violence 2018 Calendar.’ The agency will print more than 3,000 calendars for distribution throughout the county. The winners will also receive special recognition in their honor, and have their artwork displayed at
the “A Day Without Violence” Art Show in partnership with St. Johns Cultural Council. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2017.

Drop-off locations include:

• Betty Griffin Center Thrift Shoppe locations at 445 SR 13 North, St. Johns, Florida (corner of Race Track Rd.
and SR 13) or 1961 A1A South, St. Augustine, Florida
• Bartram Trail Branch Library, 60 Davis Pond Blvd., Fruit Cove, Florida
• Hastings Branch Library, 6195 S. Main St., Hastings, Florida
• Main Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., St. Augustine, Florida
• Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library,101 Library Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
• Southeast Branch Library, 6670 US 1 South, St. Augustine, Florida
• Anastasia Island Branch Library,124 Sea Grove Main St., St. Augustine Beach, Florida

To be eligible, artwork must be in color and able to be reproduced at 8 x 10 and suitable for framing (horizontal format only). All original 2D media is acceptable. The theme “A Day Without Violence” must be reflected in the art or words. An entry form must accompany each piece of art.
For more information about drop-off or the project, contact BGC Event Coordinator Kenlie Kubart at 904-808-8544.

About Betty Griffin Center
The Betty Griffin Center was founded in 1990 by concerned citizens and incorporated as the Safety Shelter of St. Johns County to develop plans to provide shelter for local victims of domestic violence and their children. In 1992, the nonprofit agency contracted with a local motel for space and started a 24-hour crisis line and court advocacy program. By 1994, the agency purchased and opened Betty Griffin House as a permanent shelter. The shelter was expanded in 1998 to meet local demand, and a sexual assault program was added the same year. The Sexual Assault Victim Recovery Program is currently recruiting on call volunteers to provide victim advocacy. For information contact Kelly at 904-808-8544.

Today, Betty Griffin Center shelters 250 to 350 victims of domestic and sexual abuse annually, operates a 24-hour helpline, provides professional counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, provides age appropriate violence prevention training and operates two thrift stores at Julington Square and Anastasia Square to assist in funding the agency’s ongoing operations
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.bettygriffincenter.org. To report if you or someone you know is being abused, call the Betty Griffin Center 24-hour crisis helpline at (904) 824-1555.

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Media Contact:
Ron Whittington
(904) 563-0402
ron@whittingtonpr.com