Women owned businesses unite for needs from domestic violence in October

Dog tired over the impact domestic violence has had for women and families, some local women-owned businesses are uniting to do their part to help those in need at a Lawton shelter.

It has been five years since Dogtown Grooming, 5117 Cache Road, started its donation drive in October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year, two more women-owned businesses in Lawton are joining in the fight against domestic violence.

United this year with fellow women-owned businesses Mary’s Curious Goods, 1105 NW Ferris, and Morning View Plant Co., 5127 Cache Road, Stacy Rains and Haley Catlett, owners of Dogtown Grooming, hope to collect items for New Directions, a shelter in Lawton for victims of domestic violence.

“More women than not are survivors of domestic violence,” Catlett said.

Catlett and her mom are survivors, too. With the annual donation drive, she said they want to create the space to help the community, with simple items such as toiletries, feminine hygiene products, baby items, clothing and pet donations making a significant impact for women in need.

The idea has led to “huge turnouts” over the years. Catlett recalled people asking when the donation drive would happen again and that some women save up items over the entire year to then donate them each October. Some even go to Sam’s Club to buy bulk items and boxes with diapers, according to Catlett.

“We are more powerful than we’ve ever been,” she said.

“Women should be supporting women,” Mary Colfer, owner of Mary’s Curious Goods, said. “We should do more for our community.”

Colfer expects the donation drive to go very well, due to multiple businesses with different clientele participating, not just Dogtown Grooming.

“From all of the people I’ve talked to, everybody is super excited,” she said.

“As a woman, I know many who’ve gone there,” Hayley Robison, owner of Morning View Plant Co., said about the domestic shelter in Lawton and her desire to support it.

Robison, who opened her store in April, offers a 10 percent discount for those donating five or more items, as well as the chance to win a basket with plants, pots and more.

Mary’s Curious Goods has a similar incentive program, offering 10 percent off and the chance to win a $50 gift card for five or more donated items.

At Dogtown Grooming, people donating at least one item in-store receive a free spa package for their dog.

Catlett invites other women-owned businesses to join the drive next year and make this an opportunity to fill the supply shelves at the shelter. Unfortunately, she said, it’s a need in all too much of a demand.

“This is an important women’s issue and we feel it’s important to spread the word and have other women owned businesses to join us,” she said.