Some local heroes volunteered their time Saturday to help make a home for women and their children who are in a crisis.
Lowe's Distribution Center in Vonore donated a refrigerator, stove, freezer, dishwasher, cabinets and ceiling tiles to Branches of Monroe County.

Branches of Monroe County is a new non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused women by providing counseling, referral services and life skills training. The organization also operates two resale stores, The Gallery and The Warehouse. Items donated to the stores are also used to help women who have been forced to leave their homes.
Board member Paulette Summey said they have helped 48 women by providing them clothes, food and furniture.

"Anything we have, we give to them," she said. "God gave it to us."
The group plans to begin providing transitional housing for women and their children by the end of the year, and that is where the Lowe's employees were hard at work Saturday morning installing the new appliances and ceiling tiles.

Location Manager Paul Walker said the donation was part of Lowe's nationwide Heroes Project.
"Lowe's takes a lot of pride in our communities," said Walker. "The Heroes Project gives us an opportunity to give back and to help organizations."

The shelter has 11 bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living area, playroom, and kitchen. The main floor of the building houses The Gallery, administrative offices, living space for the shelter manager, and a large kitchen that will be used to teach meal preparation.

Summey said all the bedrooms have been "adopted" by local organizations that have helped furnish and decorate the rooms. Country Carpet in Madisonville has also donated flooring.
Branches still needs individuals or groups who can donate time or money to furnish the bathrooms.
Branches is planning an open house with tours of the building on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Branches and The Gallery is located on Main Street in Madisonville. The Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The Warehouse is located on Warren Street in Madisonville. For more information about Branches, call 253-5532 or visit www.branchesofmonroe.org

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