5916 Penn Ave

Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206

412-482-3240

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 7, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Tammy Sutton
News Representative
412-901-7778
tlsutto@pointpark.edu

Expect cookies, cupcakes, brownies and respect!

School club plans bake sale to raise awareness for domestic violence
PITTSBURGH, Pa. Thomas Jefferson High Schools Expect Respect club is holding a
bake sale for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The bake sale will take place from noon-3
p.m. on Oct. 11 outside of Whole Foods Market in Shadyside. The students will set up a table to
sell brownies, cookies and cupcakes to the public. All money collected will be donated to the
Womens Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh; the club will also accept donations for the
cause and pass out information and statistics on dating violence.
Our goal is to not only collect donations, but also to educate the public on a topic that
many people dont talk about, Expect Respect club advisor Amey Sawyer said. Domestic
violence is a serious issue; in a year, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide
experience physical abuse from a partner.
In conjunction with the Center for Victims and Domestic Violence Awareness month in
Oct., the club addresses the issue of teen dating violence and works to prevent and intervene in
any issues of violence at their school and in the community. This bake sale is one of several

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events the club is planning during the month of October; they will also hold a swim-a-thon, a
battle of the bands competition and an art exhibition.
Im proud of the students for organizing these events and trading in their free time to
raise awareness and money, Sawyer said. Expect Respect is a new club, but were already
making such a great impact. I hope we continue on this path to raise awareness in our school and
community.
The Expect Respect program is part of Pittsburghs Center for Victims prevention,
advocacy and education efforts. Domestic Violence Awareness month was first observed in
October of 1987. It was created to connect womens advocates across the nation who were
working to end violence against women and children.
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