Miss IU organization hosts concert to benefit domestic violence victims

Although a small number of people attended, three women belted out songs from musicals in a concert Friday night to benefit Middle Way House and the Miss IU Scholarship Program.\nMiss IU 2008 winner Gabrielle Reed, Miss Indiana 2006 winner Betsy Uschkrat, Miss IU Organization Executive Director Lindsay Shipps and IU alumna Sara Radke performed classical selections from musicals such as “She Loves Me” and “Carmen.” The concert was held at First United Church, 2420 E. Third St.\nAlthough the concert was free to attend, everyone was encouraged to donate at least $10. Shipps said the concert raised only $100 – about $900 short of the organization’s goal. However, she said she had no regrets about holding the concert. \n“It’s $100 more than they had,” she said. “And we had increased visibility for this cause.” \nShipps said the bad weather and recent floods may have prevented people from coming to the concert, but she said it’s important for people to remain safe. Shipps also said the organization is now considering holding another concert and planning other fund-raising efforts for Middle Way. \nDespite the small audience, the four women put all of their energy into the performances. Reed performed two songs, including “Habanera” from “Carmen,” which will be her talent for the 2008 Miss Indiana Pageant Sunday in Zionsville. \nReed spoke to the audience about her platform for the pageant, which is to support organizations such as Middle Way House and the effort to prevent domestic violence. Reed gave statistics concerning domestic violence, stating that every 15 seconds a someone endures domestic violence from his or her partner.\n“We need to realize that this affects us all,” she told the audience.\nReed said preventing domestic violence has always been a passion of hers, which is why she started volunteering for Middle Way House in the spring semester and is a part of IU’s Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. She said she hopes to continue being a voice for victims of domestic violence by using her status as Miss IU.\n“I’m not doing this platform because of the pageant,” Reed said. “I do the pageant because of the platform.”\nMiddle Way’s Executive Director, Toby Strout, said she was grateful to the Miss IU Organization for holding the concert. She added that she plans to use all money raised for basic emergency support, such as the 24-hour crisis line and emergency shelter.\n“Victims come to us with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” Strout said. “We try help them to feel normal again.”