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Vera House Foundation Announces 18th Annual White Ribbon Campaign Honorary Chair

The Vera House Foundation proudly announced Rev. Kevin J. Agee, pastor of Hopps Memorial CME Church, as Honorary Chair of the 18th Annual White Ribbon Campaign at a news conference today at Hopps Memorial CME Church.

Rev. Agee has served as Pastor of Hopps Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Syracuse since 2007.  Pastor Agee is very involved with local community organizations and serves as the President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Syracuse & Vicinity and as a Clergy Caucus Co-Chair of the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse. He is a member of the Board of Directors, Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism Advisory Board, and Faith Leaders Round Table of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Pastor Agee also serves on the boards of the United Way of Central New York and the Onondaga Citizens League. He is also a member of the Community Trauma Response Team and one of the volunteer on-call clergy for SUNY Upstate Medical University and Crouse Hospitals.

Now in its eighteenth year, Vera House’s annual White Ribbon Campaign is led by concerned men who invite and encourage all members of the community to wear a ribbon during the 10-day campaign and join them in raising awareness and funds to stop domestic and sexual violence.  Wearing a white ribbon is your personal statement to never support, commit, or remain silent about abuse.  Proceeds from the White Ribbon Campaign help fund Vera House programs and services. 

The 2012 White Ribbon Campaign will be held March 23rd – April 1st.  For information on how to participate, call Chris Benton, Vera House Director of Communications & Special Events, at (315) 425-0818 x248 or email cbenton@verahouse.org.  The 2012 White Ribbon Campaign is made possible, in part, through the generosity of our sponsors including: M&T Bank; SRC; St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center; SUNY Upstate Medical University; Costello, Cooney & Fearon PLLC; Crouse Hospital; Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; Josal Roofing; Wegmans and King & King Architects.

The White Ribbon Campaign will raise over $70,000 for Vera House education and awareness programs and services.  According to Vera House Executive Director Randi Bregman, “The funds raised by the White Ribbon Campaign are critical for our programs and services, but even more important is the message of this campaign.  Ending domestic and sexual violence requires each of us to do our part to help change a community standard that has for too long tolerated violence and abuse.  With Rev. Agee’s leadership, we hope to bring the important message of the White Ribbon Campaign to the forefront of our community.”