The Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence has found a new sponsor to help in its ongoing efforts to raise both money and awareness for its cause.

The Peachtree City Tennis Center and Peachtree National Bank announced a partnership with the council during a luncheon Monday at Shadows in Peachtree City, with proceeds from this summer's drkoop.com Women's Tennis Championship at the Tennis Center earmarked for contribution to the council.

The tournament, now in its sixth year, raised $3,700 last year for the Harris Foundation. Since then, the Harris Foundation has established a fund directly through Scottish Rite, according to Tennis Center director Virgil Christian, and is no longer operating locally.

“We wanted to go with a local foundation,” said Christian.

As proceeds have gone up every year, Christian has a goal of $5,000 for this July's event.

“It's not just about the money,” he said. “It's also to help get their message out to the community here. It's [domestic violence] growing, unfortunately.”

The pro tournament at the Tennis Center has raised money for charity every year of its existence, starting with the local cystic fibrosis foundation from 1995-97. The Harris Foundation has been the recipient the past two years.

Peachtree National Bank has been the tournament's primary sponsor and is the official local host.

“On behalf of the Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence, let me thank the Tennis Center and Peachtree National for selecting FCCDV as their partner,” said council director of development Susan De Bonis.

“The FCCDV operates entirely without state and federal funding and our local municipal funding is limited,” she continued. “Nonetheless, every year we try to help every person who comes our way, all on an annual budget of $150,000.”

The council reported assisting 330 clients, including six men, in 1999. This is an increase from previous years, and the projection for 2000 is more than 400.

The council offers a 24-hour crisis line, legal advocacy, a weekly support group, a food pantry, a transitional housing program, referral and crisis counseling. One of the more successful programs is the teen dating/violence program, presented in every ninth grade health class in Fayette County public schools.

Also offered is the Lunch and Learn program for businesses, where managers are shown how to assist employees experiencing domestic violence and how to protect the work place when violence follows the employee to work.

“To be successful with our programs, we need the help of organizations like the Tennis Center and Peachtree National,” said De Bonis. “We intend to be a full partner with them. You will see representatives from FCCDV at all of the functions and we will be available to our partners to help wherever needed.”

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