NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The Newport News Police Department’s Domestic Violence Team will be collecting donations for survivors of domestic violence, starting Oct. 1, 2022, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

“One of the things to be mindful of is when is that person ready to leave that relationship and providing them with resources. That is a huge barrier for someone to escape safely. So, calling on the community to come forward with resources to be able to help remove those barriers is a step up and a leg up to help a victim toward safety,” Cheryl Chavers, NNPD Domestic Violence Unit Specialist, told WAVY.

The donations will benefit Transitions Family Violence Services. They are seeking brand new items from this list: 

  • Diapers (with a high need for size 5/6) 
  • Printer paper 
  • Crib sheets 
  • Brooms and dustpans 
  • Face masks 
  • Mops 
  • Floor lamps 
  • Small trash cans 
  • Light bulbs 
  • Household cleaning supplies (bathroom cleaner, dishwashing soap, Lysol spray, reusable gloves in sizes medium and large, disinfectant wipes, bleach, and laundry soap 

Gift cards are especially needed, with a preference for Visa, Mastercard, grocery store gift cards, gas cards, transportation cards (such as Uber and Lyft) and day bus passes. Gift cards can only be dropped off at NNPD Headquarters, at 9710 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA. 

All other items can be dropped off at any of these drop-off locations: 

  • New Beech Grove Baptist Church, 361 Beechmont Drive 
  • Crosswalk Church, 13771 Warwick Blvd #26 
  • Brittingham-Midtown Community Center, 570 McLawhorne Dr. 
  • Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd 
  • Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, 2410 Wickham Ave 
  • Newport News Public Schools Administration, 12465 Warwick Blvd 
  • Center for Women’s Health, 12706 McManus Blvd 
  • Calvary Chapel, 15553 Warwick Blvd 
  • Holiday Inn, 930 Omni Blvd 
  • NNPD Headquarters, 9710 Jefferson Ave 
  • NNPD Central Precinct, 611 Dresden Drive 
  • NNPD South Precinct, 3303 Jefferson Ave 
  • NNPD North Precinct, 368 Deshazor Drive 
Photo courtesy the Newport News Police Department.

Donations for the drive will be accepted through the end of October, and all donated items will be given to Transitions Family Violence Services at the end of the month.  

“The more awareness we have out there in law enforcement and in other entities I think makes things better. I don’t know that it will ever be able to live in a perfect world where it doesn’t happen. I think it’s important to let individuals know that there is hope and there are people who care,” said Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew.

Transitions Family Violence Services also accepts donations year-round. To learn more about their services, or to donate online, click here. 

If you or you know someone who may be a victim of domestic violence or child abuse, click here for a list of local and national resources.