Urgent need: InterAct seeking gift cards for survivors of domestic abuse

InterAct needs help collecting gift cards and other items so survivors of domestic abuse can buy gifts for their children this year.

Posted 3:19 p.m. Nov 23, 2021 — Updated 3:19 p.m. Nov 23, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. — InterAct needs help collecting gift cards and other items so survivors of domestic abuse can buy gifts for their children this year.

The Holiday Bazaar in a Box program will gift sheltering and endangered families with hot chocolate, a game, a winter-themed book, a gingerbread house and gift cards to purchase presents.

The organization is in need of $25 and $50 Walmart, Target or Visa gift cards to include in the boxes. Cash donations can also be made.

Organizers hope to help 150 Wake County families, or 400 people total, with their holiday program, but InterAct has only collected one-fourth of their $40,000 goal.

Gift cards can be dropped off at InterAct at 1012 Oberlin Road in Raleigh until Wednesday, Dec. 1. You can learn more online or make a cash donation.

“Holiday Bazaar in a Box provides hope for individuals and families by removing the burden of providing gifts for their children, so they can instead focus on their safety and wellbeing. It’s important, perhaps now more than ever, that our community comes together to let victims and survivors know they are not alone this holiday season,” said Rhonda Raney, executive director of InterAct.

InterAct serves the community with a 24-hour crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, services for victims of sexual assault, counseling, personal development and more.

During the pandemic, many families battled with increased financial and emotional stress -- stressors that experts say can become triggers leading to more violence or emotional abuse.

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