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Indigo, Onyx and the Canadian Auto Workers join up to send women to South America

27 December 2000

Indigo, Onyx and the Canadian Auto Workers join up to send women to South America

    TORONTO, Dec. 27 /PRNewswire/ - Women attempting to escape domestic
violence will get much needed assistance from the fund-raising "drive" being
undertaken by two women. They are off tomorrow to the southern most point of
South America to commence a month long fund-raising drive through South,
Central and North America.
    Media are welcome when the two women, both mothers, will be at Indigo's
flagship store, Bay and Bloor (Manulife) Centre at 4:30pm, December 28 for a
"bon voyage" send off along with CAW president Buzz Hargrove and other
business leaders - all of whom have provided financial assistance to kick off
the fund-raising "drive". From there they'll head to Pearson International
Airport to begin the journey.
    The journal entries - the diary - will be relayed through articles in the
Toronto Star, satellite phone to CBC radio's Metro Morning program and video
images streamed to the website set up to document the trip. The women expect
to meet up with others campaigning to end violence against women as they
travel from country to country. For example, they aim to be in the town square
in Lima, Peru when the weekly demonstration is held to bring awareness to the
plight of women.
    A car donated by KIA and covered with logos of the trip's major sponsors,
filled with camping gear for the arduous trip, is waiting on the dock at
Tierra del Fuego. Hilton Hotels have offered accommodation where possible.
    Funds raised through pledges for the 15,000 kilometre trek will go to the
December 6 Fund which provides small interest free loans to women escaping
domestic violence who need the basics such as first and last month's rent to
start their lives again. Women are often economically strapped when they flee
a violent situation.