For the City Times

The Family Center of Wisconsin Rapids recently received a $5,000 donation from Mark Olinyk, owner/CEO of Mark Toyota of Plover, and the Toyota Dealer Match Program.

Olinyk made a $2,500 donation at The Family Center’s 2016 Men in the Kitchen fundraiser, held in February at The Ridges. The donation was doubled, thanks to the match program. In addition to the donation, Mark Toyota of Plover was a gold sponsor for the Men in the Kitchen event.

Olinyk made the donation during the Men in the Kitchen Fund-A-Need auction, with donations earmarked to help fund nights at the shelter. All clients of The Family Center, a nonprofit organization for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, receive services at no cost.

“Clearly, Mark Toyota of Plover, not only cares about their customers, but in making a difference in the lives of those struggling in the community,” said Sue Sippel, executive director for The Family Center. “We applaud them and their leader, Mark Olinyk, for stepping up to the plate in a big way.”

A night in shelter costs approximately $23, and includes shelter, food, 24-hour staff support and other services provided to the client. In 2015, more than 1,300 survivors received services through The Family Center. Additionally, with an average stay of 55 nights, The Family Center provided more than 6,800 nights of shelter to more than 120 people, including the children of victims.

“Our company was built on a foundation of family and community involvement,” Olinyk said. “The Wisconsin Rapids Family Center also represents those values. We are pleased that we are able to provide funds from Toyota Motor Sales USA and our company to provide those people in need within our community.”

Dealerships making a donation between $2,500 and $10,000 to their favorite charity will have that donation matched, according to the Toyota Dealer Match Program website.

Mark Toyota of Plover is located at 1765 Park Ave., Plover.

About The Family Center

Founded in 1984, The Family Center, 500 25^th St. N., provides a 24-hour secure shelter for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, as well as outreach programs for children, teens, Hmong, senior and vulnerable adult services, and visitation services. Follow Wisconsin Rapids Family Center on Facebook, @familyctr on Twitter, and at www.familyctr.org. The Family Center provides all services free of charge.

Contact Deb Cleworth, community outreach/fund development manager, at 715-421-1559 or [email protected] for more information.