Arrested for Hope's Wings
Apr. 10—Richmond City Commissioners Mendi Goble and Tammy Cole were arrested at Stark Southern Boutique for being in possession of "criminally cute clothes" while Former RPD chief James Ebert was also arrested for disorderly conduct at Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Richmond.
According to the arresting officers, the only way for them to be released is to meet the bail requirement by fundraising for Hope's Wings.
This is nothing new. Every year, Hope's Wings sends officers to round up some of the community's most beloved characters in the basement of Richmond's Central Bank in hopes of collecting the bail money. People come from all over Madison County and even pay online to bail out their friends.
How do they get away with it?
Well, it happens to be their biggest annual fundraiser.
According to Executive Director Jennifer Lainhart, the Jail and Bail Fundraiser has brought the nonprofit organization an average of $30,000 per year. Last year, she said the fundraiser was essential in fixing approximately $25,000 in plumbing damage that would have prevented the shelter from admitting new residents.
"It's a fun way to fundraise, and we're a small nonprofit. So that's important for us," Lainhart said. "Fundraising is huge, but it also allows us to interact with community leaders and community members and it allows them to get to know us and us to share our mission and our story and what we do and hopefully, you know, gain some new supporters."
Lainhart explained that, since those repairs are done, Hope's Wings can get back to business as usual and prepare for emergencies, such as purchasing clothes, food, and repairs.
"It's that pot of money that grants don't cover, that that rainy day money that you just might need for an emergency," she remarked.
Lainhart noted that fundraising is imperative for Hope's Wings, as it's not part of the state's domestic violence coalition, which means they don't have guaranteed funding.
Mae Suramek noted how important the work of Hope's Wings is, as she has seen it in various roles throughout her professional career, from her work as the former director of Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource and as the former owner of Noodle Nirvana.
Suramek, now a realtor at The Good Dwellings Group, explained why she is also choosing to be cuffed and detained on Friday.
"As a realtor, I'm cognizant that the availability of safe and affordable housing is often a barrier for survivors of domestic violence who are ready to leave," she said. "I look forward to exploring ways our industry can better support survivors and the eradication of domestic and interpersonal violence."
Lainhart reported that Hope's Wings makes a big impact, assisting over 400 women last year alone.
Lainhart said, "A lot of what we do is because we are in a community where people care, and they donate and they give."
Anyone interested in donating to Hope's Wings can directly contribute to someone's bail via Venmo by commenting the inmate's name and sending money to @HopesWingsDVP.
People can also drop by Central Bank Community Room, located at 350 W Main St, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 12. Donations can also be send by clicking the "donate" button on the Hope's Wings website.
