OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Cloudy skies and rainy weather did not stop more than 130 golfers from taking the links for a very good cause.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s round of golf featured Nebraska\u2019s first and only astronaut \u2014 and it was all in support of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.<\/p>\n
A star-studded fundraiser<\/p>\n
Eagle Hills Golf Course in Papillion was the site of the 33rd annual Heartland Family Service Safe Haven Golf Tournament. The course featured Star Wars stormtroopers and a golf cart-sized space shuttle as part of the event\u2019s theme.<\/p>\n
Retired NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson served as honorary chairperson for this year\u2019s tournament. Anderson, Nebraska\u2019s first and only astronaut, acknowledged his golf game does not quite match his accomplishments in space.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy golf game, for an astronaut who knows trajectory and theory, is pretty horrible. But I have three guys who can carry the load,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDomestic abuse and violence is a horrible thing. People are out here to support and try to get that problem solved,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
What Safe Haven does<\/p>\n
The money raised at the tournament will support Heartland Family Service Safe Haven, which provides help to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.<\/p>\n
Dawn Conley, program director for Safe Haven, outlined the services available.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our Safe Haven shelter, which houses 20 individuals \u2014 single adults or adults with children. We also have a therapist that individuals can see at no charge. We have two attorneys on our staff and a paralegal,\u201d Conley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also offer domestic violence intervention programming for those who have perpetrated violence on their partners. We also have advocates who respond to hospitals or law enforcement 24 hours a day. So if a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault shows up to the hospital, the hospital will call us,\u201d Conley said.<\/p>\n
A growing need<\/p>\n
Conley says the Omaha area is currently experiencing a high number of domestic violence incidents.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver one weekend we got maybe 35 referrals from law enforcement. So right now it\u2019s just high, and I know people will ask why. There\u2019s just no rhyme or reason \u2014 it just ebbs and flows at times,\u201d Conley said.<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know needs help dealing with domestic violence or sexual assault, Heartland Family Service has a 24-hour crisis hotline: 800-523-3666.<\/p>\n