healing through helping

here are very passionate about victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. They understand that nobody deserves that and that they should be provided the best care and services available. Someone like Meredith who volunteers here believes that.”

Glenda and Don donated all their daughter’s memorial money to the RACC. The Dakota Medical Foundation matched their donation and, collectively, they created The Meredith Haugen Play Therapy Room. Dedicated in July 2008, the room is filled with therapy-specific toys that help counselors provide a non-threatening experience to children in crisis.

“I’m very happy that her legacy is there and I’m even happier that the room is providing a service to kids,” says Don. “We were told one kid came in and said it’s a shame I had to have these problems so I could come into this room and play with these toys.”

Since then, Glenda and a group of her and Meredith's friends have celebrated Meredith’s birthday each January. They meet for dinner and each person renews their support to the playroom with a donation to RACC.

“I think it’s made us all aware of how important the RACC is,” says Glenda’s friend, Barbara. “It gives us a real incentive every year to keep up the room they’ve established in Meredith’s memory.”

This year though, Glenda is coordinating something different—something bigger and public—to celebrate her daughter and the work RACC does in the community. On January 22nd, My Best Friend's Closet will host a fundraiser called Fabulous Friends and Fashion at the Fargo Country Club in support of the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center.

“I think it’s fabulous what Glenda and Don are doing,” says Greg. “Our work at RACC is to work with victims of these crimes, it’s not to develop fundraisers. So when we have someone in the community who comes forward and says we’d like to do a fundraiser for you, that’s invaluable to us. It’s a tremendous gift, as is Glenda and Don’s continued support of our agency.”

Of course, My Best Friend’s Closet will provide all the clothes and accessories for the fashion show. There will also be a silent auction, and everything will be decorated in Meredith’s favorite colors, brown and pink.

“Glenda is excited but there is always this sense that