Putting an end to violence against women might seem like a large goal, but it’s a problem the Young Women’s Christian Association is trying to remedy, even if it’s one woman and child at a time. And for the family
Putting an end to violence against women might seem like a large goal, but it’s a problem the Young Women’s Christian Association is trying to remedy, even if it’s one woman and child at a time.
And for the family and friends of Sandra Galas, a young mother of two who was murdered more than two years ago, it’s a personal mission, a mix of keeping her name alive, and preventing the same thing from happening to others on Kaua‘i.
Galas, who was going through a divorce and custody battle at the time of her death, was found dead in her car Jan. 25, 2006. Police said Galas, a petite woman, was strangled. She had also suffered blunt force trauma to the jaw.
With the killer at large, her family is still offering a $10,000 reward for information that could lead to a conviction. In addition to mourning their daughter and working to find answers, Galas’ parents, Lawrence and Toshie Mendonca, have been working to keep her memory alive and to help protect the island’s women and children.
The family is working with the YWCA to host a golf tournament in remembrance of Galas, but all proceeds will go to the center, Renae Hamilton, executive director for the YWCA, said.
Hamilton, who used to be Galas’ principal at St. Catherine, said the community has already responded with an outpouring of generosity.
“I think everyone is genuinely touched by her story,” she said. “As a young girl (she) was joyful, vibrant and energetic.”
“She was wonderful,” she said. “Knowing her and how she died is very sad.”
The tournament is scheduled for May 4, at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course with an awards luncheon to follow at the Grand Hyatt Resort. The support of individuals and businesses will help ensure the success of the YWCA’s efforts to eliminate violence against women, Hamilton said.
The Mendoncas also are working with the YWCA in fundraising through sales of pocket-sized pouches lined with polkadots. The purses are covered in swirling hibiscus. Though they might seem small, precious, or even insignificant at first glance, the cute containers of everything from lipsticks to iPods have a larger message: “Never Forget Sandy G.”
Kaua’i Family Violence Shelter statistics
• More than 200 women and 96 children stay at the shelter on average per year, according to YWCA Executive Director Renae Hamilton.
• An estimated 40-45 women annually use the sexual assault services made available and roughly 55-60 women benefit from the counseling services. Add to that the clients who use the outreach and other counseling services, and it comes to an average of 600 per year, Hamilton said.
Source: YWCA
Want to help support the YWCA’s effort against violence?
• Make a donation through the purchase of the “Never Forget Sandy G” purse, $10, at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10563211.
• Sponsor or attend the Never Forget Sandy G Golf Tournament,
May 4 at Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course.
To learn more, call Renae Hamilton at the YWCA at 245-5959.
