Businesses, neighbours honour ‘beautiful life cut short’ at Stittsville benefit for Interval House

a circle of women and small businesses banded together to shine a much-needed light on the issue and to support survivors during a community-based fundraiser hosted Wednesday by the new Showroom Furniture + Lighting store in Stittsville.

Domestic violence isn’t usually the stuff of cocktail party conversation — or most any conversation, really. Yet, a circle of women and small businesses banded together to shine a much-needed light on the issue and to support survivors during a community-based fundraiser hosted Wednesday by the new Showroom Furniture + Lighting store in Stittsville. Store owners Jennifer Miller and Jill Bonk co-organized and sponsored the “Girls’ Night In” benefit with professional photographer Sarah Bradley of iShootEvents and former Forty Under 40 Award recipient Liz Ellwood, who, with life partner Jon Martin, owns the Maverick’s Donuts stores in Kanata and Stittsville, and is part-owner of the Barrhaven and Carleton Place locations. She also runs her own marketing and business development consultancy, LE Strategies.

The businesswomen were motivated to take action following the heartbreaking death of Jennifer Edmonds, 47, on Aug. 25 at her home west of Stittsville. Charged with second-degree murder is her husband, Michael Zabarylo, 55, in what police have described as a case of femicide. The popular suburban hockey mom had worked as a civilian at Royal Canadian Navy Headquarters. In Edmonds’ online obituary, the public was asked to consider making a donation in her memory to Interval House of Ottawa, a 30-bed emergency shelter for women and their children fleeing abuse. It also serves gender-diverse individuals. As well, Interval House provides support, intervention and advocacy, answering between 2,000 and 3,000 crisis calls each year. “Something very tragic happened in our community; a beautiful life was cut short long before it should have been,” said Ellwood in welcoming more than 100 women to a fundraiser that was held, in part, to open up the dialogue on a sensitive topic. “Domestic violence, unfortunately, is still a very prevalent issue in society, even in our own backyard.” Girls’ Night In raised $10,000 through ticket sales for Interval House. An additional $4,550 was collected at the live auction, to be donated to the surviving family of Edmonds, who left behind two children. The evening was emceed by Ashley Greco, who recently moved to Ottawa from Toronto to become the new morning show co-host on Bell Media's Pure Country 94. The cause was “near and dear" to her heart, she said before sharing: “My grandmother was a survivor of domestic violence." Her maternal grandmother had fled Scotland in 1975 before her husband could be released from prison. She settled with her three children in Toronto, finding work as a seamstress. 

The stigma surrounding domestic violence isn’t as bad as it once was, according to Interval House executive director Keri Lewis. She’s worked in the movement for the past 25 years. “The fact that there’s a room full of people here who are interested in learning more, interested in speaking about this topic, is a huge change from back in the day when I first started. It was taboo. It was something that people were embarrassed about. When I got asked about my job and I told people what I did, they would just change the topic very quickly and awkwardly. “This is progress. We’re talking about it. We’re naming it.” Lewis told the women they have an important role to play in responding to violence against women. “You are the friends, sisters, mothers, and you’re the people that folks are going to confide in when they’re struggling. Being able to speak the language and know about the issue and the resources is one of the best things you can do.” According to Lewis, one-third of women experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. The funds raised from Girls’ Night In will help Interval House with its new 10-unit apartment complex for transitional housing. The non-profit residence turns away hundreds of survivors each year due to a lack of space. “We’re struggling to meet the needs,” said Lewis. “For those who do come through our doors, they get a warm welcome.” The new facility will offer support to survivors of gender-based violence, providing them with a safe and supportive environment as they transition from emergency shelters. In addition to secure accommodation, the complex will offer access to essential services that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. A unique aspect to Interval House is that it also accommodates family pets.

Jenna Sudds, the MP for Kanata-Carleton MP and Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, thanked organizers for having the “energy, foresight and heart” to bring everyone together for what she described as a “labour of love".  “We’re here because we care,” said Sudds. “We’re here because we believe in the work that Interval House is doing. We’re here because of a tragic ending for a woman in our community, Jennifer.” Sudds stressed the ongoing need to openly address intimate partner violence and coercive control. “We should be able to speak about it in our full voice at full volume. When we talk about it, we find allies, we find others who may be suffering, who maybe have gone through it and who may be able to offer support. We also find those who need that support.” Sudds made a point of thanking the small businesses. There was food from NeXT, Annabella’s, Napoli’s Café and Maverick’s Donuts. Drinks were courtesy of KIN Vineyards, Kichesippi Beer and Saunders Cider. Cody Party Rentals also came through. The lovely flowers were provided by local florist Infinity and Highland Park Cemetery. There was no need to rent furniture, thankfully. Guests had plenty of beautiful places to sit and relax, from high-end sofas to comfy beds.

Present that night were friends of the alleged murder victim. It was agreed that not only was Edmonds the kind of woman who'd have attended but she'd have also offered to get involved. “She was always the first person to put up her hand to volunteer and say ‘What can I do to help?’,” Jackie Cregan told OBJ.social. “One percent of the people do 99 per cent of the volunteer work, and she was always that one percent.” Kichesippi Beer Company owner and Stittsville resident Paul Meek and Saunders Cider owner Mark Saunders, who also runs agri-tourism destination Saunders Farm, were there serving drinks, making them virtually the only men there. Beverage options included Kichesippi’s Warrior Woman pale ale. They, like many others in the room, had been shocked by news of Edmonds' death and how close to home it felt in the small and tight-knit west-end community. Everyone seems to be separated by one degree, they said. “If you don’t know somebody, you know their friend.” Their male presence was welcomed at the gathering, which didn’t serve to disparage men. In fact, one of the live auction prizes was a Date Night for a Year package that featured a different restaurant each month (including Al’s Steakhouse and The Shore Club). “Someone asked if it comes with a man,” said Greco before playfully adding: “We can find one, we can find one.” That won’t be necessary. The dinner package sold for $1,500 to a group of women from Carp. Showroom donated a home decor package, including artwork by LeeAnne Laforge, that went for $850. There was a fitness package featuring personal training by Sean Young, along with classes from Yogatown, that sold for $700; a self-care package from Spinco, SKINS Derma Care and Windsor Home Cleaning that brought in another $700; and a sports package that included a thrilling driving experience at Calabogie Motorsports, an Ottawa Redblacks game courtesy Maverick’s Donuts, and a stay at the Lord Elgin Hotel. It was bought for $800 by one of Edmonds’ friends, Debbie McVey.

caroline@obj.ca