Taco Bell’s (l-r) Lizzie Murphy, Courtney Starling, Fred Kotoske, and Martha Archie present Nancy Barton (r), executive director of Sistercare, a $24,000 check. On Tuesday, January 19, Fred Kotoske, the Midlands Taco Bell franchisee presented Nancy Barton, executive director of Sistercare, a check for the money raised during the 17th annual “Taco Bell Tacos for Sistercare” campaign. The event ran November 1–15, 2009. During the annual campaign Kotoske donates ten cents to Sistercare for every taco sold in his Taco Bell stores. Over the last 17 years, “Tacos for Sistercare” has raised over $264,000 making it one of Sistercare’s largest annual fund raising events.

Over the past 12 years, South Carolina has ranked among the eight states with the highest rate of women killed by men. Currently, SC has the eighth highest rate in the nation for women murdered by men.

With the current economic situation, requests for services by battered women are exceeding Sistercare’s capacity to provide needed services. Sistercare, a private, nonprofit United Way partner agency, provides services and advocacy for battered women and their children in the Midlands and works to prevent domestic violence through community education and early intervention.

Sistercare operates three emergency shelters in Richland and Lexington counties with the last two shelters funded in part from funds donated through the “Tacos for Sistercare” campaign.

In 2009, Sistercare sheltered 661 adult and child victims of domestic violence who were in imminent danger with no other resources for safety. Yet, the organization had to turn away 270 abused women and their children as a result of lack of space and resources.

Both Kotoske and Barton believe a strong community response is necessary to fully address the serious and pervasive problem of family violence.

“I primarily employ women at my Taco Bell franchises and have come to understand the effect domestic violence has on family life and the business community,” said Kotoske. “I continue to be committed to our fundraising efforts for Sistercare. They help families in crisis find safety and the services they need to make changes in their lives,” he added.

In 2009, Sistercare honored Kotoske as “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year” for his commitment to reducing domestic violence in our community and for his support of Sistercare.

For more information please contact Barton at (803) 926-0505 or Kotoske at (803) 466-7171.